New look for a proven program
But think back even further. What was it that made you go out to the airport on that memorable day? Was it an ad in a newspaper or magazine, something you saw on television or heard on the radio? Probably not. I'll wager that you received a personal invitation from a friend, relative, or coworker who was a pilot. In fact, he or she may have sensed your interest in flying.
The truth is that most of us were nudged into flying one way or another and mentored as we got our start in flight training. Your mentor may have acted so subtly that you didn't realize you were being mentored, or you may be one of the tens of thousands of pilots who were mentored by AOPA members through AOPA's Project Pilot. Project Pilot was introduced in 1994 to give members the tools they need to guide would-be pilots through the training process.
Even if your last name is Lindbergh, you'll benefit from a mentor as you navigate aviation's jargon, regulations, and rituals. Erik Lindbergh--the grandson of Charles A. Lindbergh, who in 1927 piloted the first nonstop solo flight from New York to Paris in the Spirit of St. Louis--didn't initially feel that flying was in his genes. In fact, his grandfather's legacy drove him away from aviation. Ironically, Erik was nudged into flying by a friend who was learning to fly. "He kept bugging me to try it. I finally went up on an introductory flight and said, 'This is cool!'" Erik told me. "Without my mentor's support and encouragement, I probably wouldn't be flying today."
And I have some exciting news about AOPA Project Pilot. During the AOPA Fly-In and Open House at our Frederick, Maryland, headquarters on Saturday, June 3, Erik Lindbergh joined me in launching an expanded AOPA Project Pilot program. We're doing it because the pilot population is decreasing rapidly--and worse, the number of student starts is declining even faster. Left unchecked, the future looks grim. That, of course, is unacceptable. So our goal is to increase the number of general aviation pilots. There is strength in numbers, and keeping general aviation strong benefits all of us.
How does it work? As an AOPA member, all you have to do is identify somebody with an interest in learning to fly--a friend, family member, or coworker with the time and wherewithal to earn a pilot certificate. Sign them up for Project Pilot online (www.AOPAProjectPilot.org). Help them to find a flight school and schedule an introductory lesson. Then encourage, motivate, and guide your students through their training. You will not be their flight instructor--leave the teaching to the CFI. You're just a friend with good advice and support when they need it.
Prospective students nominated to the program will receive a welcome kit with an exciting and informative new DVD; a copy of Invitation to Fly, a publication created especially for Project Pilot that contains all the information a new pilot needs to get started; and other materials. The student will also receive a free six-month AOPA Flight Training membership, which includes six issues of this magazine. The Mentor receives a welcome kit as well, with program materials, a limited-edition computer mouse pad, and two additional entries in the annual AOPA Sweepstakes. Both of you will have access to the new and very interactive Project Pilot Web site that offers guidance to the student, tips for the Mentor, even the ability to track the student's progress online.
The time might be right for you to get involved--time and time again, we've seen that excited, enthusiastic new aviators often are general aviation's most effective advocates. If you're more than halfway through your training, and feeling good about your knowledge and progress, you may be ready to help the next new pilot fulfill his or her long-time dream of flight. Look for a prospective new pilot in your neighborhood, at work, or perhaps at your church or a civic organization. The experience you've already acquired, combined with the freshness of your training, will make you an excellent AOPA Project Pilot Mentor.
Let me reiterate that if you're just starting on your own training, the time is not right for you. We want you to have the finish line well in sight, lest your mentoring distracts you from your own goal. This way, you'll also have enough knowledge to function as an effective mentor.
My wife, Lois, and I have mentored several neighbors and friends over the years. All of them earned pilot certificates, and a number of them went on to obtain advanced ratings. We get a tremendous sense of personal satisfaction when we help someone through the process of learning to fly, and we know that you will, too. When you're ready, please consider being a Mentor to a new Project Pilot student.
To learn more about AOPA Project Pilot, see the Web site (www.AOPAProjectPilot.org).
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