Mentoring transcends generations
The personal reflections of AOPA Project Pilot mentors and students are so eloquent that we often wish that we could print all the letters we receive. We knew that you'd enjoy this one from AOPA member Chistopher Ulibarri about how Project Pilot has become a tradition in one Abilene, Texas, family.
In the blink of an eye, another successful Project Pilot Mentor year has gone by. The last time I wrote you was August 27, 1995, when Don Fetty completed the checkride for his private pilot certificate. I sent you a picture of both of us, since I was his Project Pilot mentor.
I also wrote you about my son, Aaron, and his solo accomplishments then. I am very proud to announce that Aaron completed his training for his private pilot certificate and is now a private pilot. He soloed at 16 years old; and when he turned 17 today, he received his checkride from Michael Spencer of Abilene Aero, Inc. Michael is the same pilot examiner Don Fetty and I had for our private pilot checkrides. I can tell you that he is a very good and extremely thorough pilot examiner.
The picture shows my son and me with our Piper Cherokee 140B Cruiser. Aaron is a third-generation pilot in our family of aviators. His grandfather, Herminio Ulibarri, AOPA 1191423, and I are also private pilots. My dad, Herminio, was also my Project Pilot mentor.
Aaron is a cadet in the Confederate Air Force. Since age 14 he has accumulated flying time in the Taylorcraft L-2, Beech C-45, Vultee BT-13, Aeronca Champion, Cessna 152, Diamond DA-20 Katana, Piper Apache 235, and our Cherokee 140B. As you can see, he has experience in a wide range of taildraggers and tricycle-gear aircraft for such a young pilot.
Does it sound as though I am extremely proud of Aaron? Well, I am — not only because he is my son, but also because since age 14 he has had a strong desire to become a pilot and fly for a living.
I first realized his love for flying and airplanes when he was 5 years old, after he started building airplane models. In 1994 he went for a flight in a Taylorcraft L-2 during Aviation Day here in Abilene, and that's all it took; Aaron was hooked. He is a senior at Cooper High School, and when he graduates in 1997 he plans to go to Utah Valley State College, where he can earn an aviation degree and complete his ratings to become a professional pilot.
I am proud to be a part of Aaron's success and of the Project Pilot mentor program. I am thankful that I can give something back to AOPA, since AOPA is an integral part of our aviation lives and we rely on the association for our aircraft loan and aircraft insurance on our Cherokee. Thank you again for your continued support. — Christopher Ulibarri, AOPA 1241289
Pilot buys airplane (this is news?)
When a pilot buys an airplane, it seldom makes the pages of a major magazine.
Forgive us for our enthusiasm, however, in noting the purchase of a Mooney 201 by member Dallas Kerley, AOPA 1267445, of Newark, Delaware, and also in noting that on September 10, Dallas passed the flight check for his instrument rating.
If the smiling face in the picture at right seems familiar, it's because Dallas was the very first Project Pilot student. He was featured on this page in July 1994.
Dallas is a sales representative at Gambacorta Buick in New Castle, Delaware, which keeps him near his home base, New Castle County Airport.
He also is a member of Delaware Aviation Support, an airport support organization of local pilots and ground personnel.
Congratulations, Dallas, and special thanks to member David A. Moffitt, AOPA 726306, of Greenville, Delaware, for sharing with us the good news about Dallas' success and the photograph.
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