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March 23, 2023

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Pilot of the Month

Maddy Wescott

From zero to 60 because of a mentor

By Nikki Britton

Each Friday, AOPA releases a weekly wrap-up on Instagram called “Lightning Round.” It’s through this series and AOPA’s Fly-in at the Buckeye Air Fair that I met our featured social media pilot of the month, Maddy Wescott.

Wescott, a private pilot, is a sophomore enrolled in Arizona State University’s Part 141 professional flight program and hopes to fly for the airlines.

“Both of my parents were real estate agents and after accompanying them on showings I learned quickly that I was not interested in real estate whatsoever,” Wescott said. “I started researching careers that allowed for traveling and had a sufficient salary and saw ‘pilot’ as the most common suggestion.”

That’s when Wescott decided to take an introductory flight with her stepdad, a pilot who also flew for the U.S. Air Force. After the flight, Wescott’s mother posted a photo of the two online, and Mike Buben, an Arizona-based aerial photographer and general aviation enthusiast, saw the post and reached out to see if Wescott would be interested in helping him with an aviation restoration project he was working on.

Buben, who has a passion for helping young aspiring aviators, purchased his 1956 Cessna 172 in 2020. The aircraft hadn’t been flown for nearly 22 years, and realizing that the project may need an extra set of hands, Buben thought it would be great experience for someone young and eager to get their hands dirty in GA. Wescott and another aspiring aviator worked alongside Buben for almost two years, learning the ins and outs of the aircraft.

The restoration project and the introductory flight affirmed Wescott’s interest in aviation, and that’s when she decided to apply to ASU. “I went from no exposure or knowledge of aviation to flying the restored 172.” Wescott said.

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Follow Maddy Wescott’s pilot journey on Instagram: @maddywescott

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