AOPA Project Pilot gives experienced pilots a way to share their love of flight by mentoring student pilots. Backed by the resources of AOPA, mentors help guarantee the best possible introduction to flying, from first flight to checkride.
Success Story
I first flew with my Project Pilot mentor, Ed Smietna, in April 1998. I'd flown before but hadn't made the commitment to training, even though I loved aviation and wanted a career change. The flight and Ed's interest in my flying was the push I needed, and I earned my private pilot certificate four months later. In early 1999, while working as a truck driving instructor, I took a part-time job as a line service tech with a local FBO. After a long discussion with my wife, Sherry, I quit my instructor job and began working line service full time and building flight time. Between December 1999 and June 2000 I earned an instrument rating, commercial certificate, CFI, CFII, and multiengine rating. My big break was becoming a first officer on a Fairchild SA226 Metro II. It was hard to wipe the smile from my face. After I was promoted to SA226 captain/instructor and subsequently earned my ATP certificate, the smile became impossible to remove. Thanks to my wife and my Project Pilot mentor, I've realized a life-long dream. — David W. Davenport, AOPA 1314142
Are you a pilot who was a Project Pilot student? We want to know what mentored student pilots have gone on to do since their introduction to flight. E-mail us at [email protected] with your success story and we may print it here.
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