Project Pilot Update
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 wanted to share a recent success story, which began some time ago. I am proud of my father, Edmund L. "Larry" Markey II, AOPA 4618700, for finally realizing his dream to become a pilot and I am glad that I could be a part of it, by being his mentor, through AOPA Project Pilot. On November 7, 1976, my father began his flight training. His instruction ended on July 17, 1977, the day he was to solo, because of inclement weather; his passion, however, for aircraft and flight continued. Despite his busy work schedule and four children, my father took my brother and me to the EAA fly-in in Oshkosh multiple times throughout our childhood, and I, too, became enamored with aviation. On July 31, 2002, I earned my private pilot certificate, some 26 years after my father terminated his training. My father was my second passenger (after my wife), and he loved being up there again. We departed Hayward, Wisconsin, in a rented Cessna 152 and took a scenic flight to Duluth, Minnesota. Those 35 minutes hooked him again. Twenty-six years after his original flight training start date, he began his training again. On September 17, 2005, roughly 29 years after he started, he has earned his wings. I am so proud of him for sticking with it and completing a goal that he set so long ago and I am glad that I was both an inspiration and a mentor to him. Thank you for being such a strong and encouraging organization — you helped us both.
Buffalo, New York
Become an AOPA Project Pilot mentor!
If you're ready to encourage someone who wants to become a student pilot, then you're ready to become an AOPA Project Pilot mentor. Visit the Web site to enroll yourself and a student pilot nominee who has the time, the resources, and the desire to learn to fly.
Congratulations!
These mentors who helped a student earn a private pilot certificate receive a Sporty's Pilot Shop Preferred Rewards Gift Certificate.
| Mentor | New Pilot |
| Harry Parsons AOPA 882852 Bloomfield, New Jersey | John Chambers AOPA 5049201 Randolph, New Jersey |
| Richard Wallin AOPA 982268 Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Tom Wee AOPA 5088975 Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
| Norm Pasvogel AOPA 4041354 Cordova, Illinois | Kevin Barrentine AOPA 5278445 Morrison, Illinois |
| Bernie Royko AOPA 4069696 Burnet, Texas | Blake Corley AOPA 5304884 Johnson City, Texas |
| Trey Gordon AOPA 4068113 Glenville, New York | Gordon Durler AOPA 5077197 Delafield, Wisconsin |
| Gary Rubin AOPA 616166 Longmont, Colorado | Rosolino Giamanco AOPA 5316746 Loveland, Colorado |
| Brian Cope AOPA 1219665 Melbourne, Florida | Anne Cope AOPA 5474081 Melbourne, Florida |
| Donald C. Pryde AOPA 239725 Yuba City, California | Jessica Garrick AOPA 5345914 Georgetown, Texas |
| James Dale Arnold AOPA 1030043 Jackson, Tennessee | Timothy James Hart AOPA 4088244 Reagan, Tennessee |
| Tom Staggs AOPA 1046385 Redmond, Washington | Cale Carter AOPA 5318574 Redmond, Washington |
Gift available to mentors who provide AOPA with a copy of their Project Pilot student's private pilot certificate.
These student pilots are winners of a King Schools video course:
October: Dan Roberts, AOPA 5536472, Urbana, Ohio
November: Kathy Guido, AOPA 5569734, Reading, Pennsylvania
December: Ken Brownlow, AOPA 5540476, Morgantown, Pennsylvania
We welcome your photos. While we can't guarantee publication, we encourage following the photo guidelines available online or by calling 800/USA-AOPA (800/872-2672). For more information or to nominate someone for AOPA Project Pilot, please go to the Web site.
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