Matthew Sellers (center) with CFI Gary Whaley (left) and Eric Goins (right).
Name: Matthew Sellers
Age: 29
Event: Private pilot checkride
Where: Wayne Executive Jetport (GWW), Goldsboro, North Carolina
Airplane: Cessna 172M
I started flight training while in high school in 2003. I was a recipient of an Order of Daedalians flight scholarship. This was a partial scholarship, so I wasn’t able to complete my flight training, as money is tight for a high school student. I enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 2004 to 2008 on the USS Enterprise.
Following my service I moved back to North Carolina and began serving my community with the Goldsboro Police Department. It was there I met Eric Goins, who was already a private pilot. Eric inspired me to try again for my certificate (as my financial status had changed a bit), so I did.
During my flight training my son was born (May 2014). This, along with other obligations in life, slowed my progress—but I did not give up. I studied, trained, and on July 8, I passed my checkride. It felt amazing to know that I have accomplished something so important to me, something that I started 12 years ago, and that I will have the honor of sharing with my friends and family—the freedom of flight.
‘Help inspire new pilots’
His career is taking off
I want to thank you for your Facebook page and all that you all do to help inspire new pilots and keep the ones in training inspired. I hope to see much more of AOPA as my flying career continues, as I passed my checkride on July 31 at Tulsa International Airport. My home airport is McAlester Regional Airport in McAlester, Oklahoma.
Name: David Hartsfield
Age: 30
Event: Private pilot checkride
Where: Tulsa International Airport (TUL)
Airplane: Cessna 172N
David Hartsfield (left) with DPE Lee Romanek.
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