www.AOPAProjectPilot.org
AOPA's Project Pilot provides members with the tools to find viable flight training candidates and support them as student pilots with the wisdom and encouragement of experienced pilots through mentoring. A student with a Project Pilot Mentor is three times more likely to successfully complete their training. This exciting program is available free to all AOPA members. You don't have to be a CFI to participate. All it takes is someone who wants to share the joy of general aviation and a few minutes a week to help them along.
AOPA Project Pilot success stories
Massachusetts (LWM) — I found my fabulous mentor, Mike Mahoney through AOPA's Project Pilot mentoring program. I spent three years learning how to fly, and on July 21, 2006, I received my private pilot certificate — I couldn't have done it without my mentor. The day after my checkride I took a commercial flight from Boston to Chicago to visit my family. I spent a day up at Oshkosh at the airshow and thought about whom I should ask to be my first passenger. Back home I called Mike and asked him and he said yes. I'm happy to report that my first flight as a private pilot was a success. I hope to mentor a student pilot someday myself. — Lauren Platt, AOPA 5100747, Boston
Florida (PMP) — My wife, Corrine McLaughlin, AOPA 4081632, passed her private pilot checkride on May 13, at American Flyers in Pompano Beach, Florida. I am her husband, Christopher McLaughlin, and was her mentor. We have a Cessna 172XP based in Nantucket, Massachusetts. — Chris McLaughlin, AOPA 895218, Nantucket, Massachusetts
Illinois (UGN) — First flight for Amy Wheaton was a beautiful day with a few scattered clouds we were able to easily surmount. She was much more aware of her surroundings than my first flight. She was definitely still very high when we got out of the airplane. — Stephanie Cruz, AOPA 686061, Libertyville, Illinois
First Flight certificates
A smooth flight on a crystal clear day can get just about anyone hooked on aviation. Wait for an ideal day to take up someone you know, with an interest in flying, to show off all the best that GA has to offer (see " High Excitement," page 96). At the end of your flight, present that future pilot with a ready-to-frame certificate marking the occasion.
To create a Project Pilot First Flight Certificate, log into the Mentor Section at www.AOPAProjectPilot.org.
If you've previously registered your student, click on My Students or View and Update Student Progress to see the Key Milestones. Enter the date for Tip #1 First Flight and scroll down to the bottom of the page to click and submit the update. Go back to Milestone #1 Share Your Experiences and you'll find a link to print a personalized certificate.
If you are using a First Flight to get a potential student hooked, log onto the Mentor Section and click on the yellow Getting Started bar. Scroll down to the bottom to find a link to print a First Flight Certificate. Write in the future pilot's name and the date of the flight.
We welcome your photos. While we can't guarantee publication, we encourage you to e-mail photos to [email protected] or call 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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