Scholarship Winner Alyssa Mae's Application Essay

We are so excited to present to you the application essays from the two Girls With Wings Summer Scholarship Winners!

The Girls With Wings Scholarship Program provides funds for flight training to selected individuals with a willingness to be superlative GWW role models. Winners show potential to continue her interaction with the GWW organization, via the website and events, so she can assist GWW in encouraging more young girls to have an interest in aviation. Part of the obligation for being awarded the scholarship is to submit at least one picture and an associated journal entry once a month for three months to the Girls With Wings blog to share with others her training, as well as email a final essay summarizing how the scholarship helped her, what she learned and her intent to continue her work as a role model and volunteer for the Girls With Wings, Inc., organization.

Alyssa Mae is the recipient of our $500 Dreams Take Flight Training Scholarship.

This is Alyssa Mae's cover letter. It is so indicative of her enthusiasm we've decided to share it with you.

Are you looking for someone whose life's passion is aviation? Someone who has her goals set and is dedicated to flying? Someone who puts two hundred percent into everything she does and never stops trying? If so, then I may be the person you're looking for.

I have loved aircraft since I was little and have wanted to become a licensed pilot since I was ten years old. My dreams would come true if I earned my pilot's license! I am trying inexplicably hard to achieve my goals. I do everything from graphic design to house cleaning. I even set up a pilot's license campaign on a website. Cost is my biggest obstacle, definitely not my motivation.

I will do everything I can do gain experience in aviation. Recently I've attended Women Soar, Air Academy, and Space Camp on full scholarships. Currently, I am a Cliff Robertson Intern at EAA Air Air Academy doing everything from teaching kids about aviation to actually flying myself. As I walk around the AirVenture Museum or see the planes taking off at Pioneer Airport, I want to earn my pilot's license more than anything. As time goes on, my passion for flying only seems to get stronger and I love to share my passion with others.

As for my goals, I'm somewhat undecided. The only thing concrete right now is my desire to earn my pilot's license. Recently I've been considering attending MIT to major in Aerospace Engineering and minor in Chinese. I've also been thinking about flying corporate but I like doing aerobatic maneuvers as well; I promise you though; it will be a career in aviation!

I would be extremely grateful if you considered me for the Dreams Take Flight Scholarship. My future doesn't exist without aviation in it. Thank you so much for taking your time to read my letter and application, it really means a lot to me that there are people in this world who are willing to help me achieve my dreams. And one day, I hope I can help others too.

And this is Alyssa Mae's essay:

My future could not exist without aviation in it. When I say that, one hundred percent of my heart can go into those words. Ever since I was little, I can remember being mesmerized by airplanes and helicopters. I could still feel the same joy and excitement that aviation brought to me over ten years ago and my passion has only gotten stronger with time. Currently, my plan to get my pilot's license is what dominates most of my life at the moment. For almost a year now, I have been highly devoted to seeking ways to earn it. In April of 2012 I set up an internet campaign with a man I met on Career day at my school. He is also a private pilot and helped me set up a program through which I have earned almost $1000 towards my pilot's license. Also, I am earning some flight time at my job as an intern at EAA. (Which I will explain further on.) But even with all of this, it's less than half of what a pilot's license would be. I'm still working on not only my hours, but the money I need to get the hours. Once I get my pilot's license, I'm not exactly sure what my future aspirations will be. Recently, my goals have shifted to attending MIT and majoring in Aerospace Engineering or to flying corporately. Even though my goals often change, I'm positive my future will be in the field of aviation.

I would absolutely love to become a role model to anyone who is passionate about aviation. Though much volunteer work, I have developed a love of helping others and my friends and family see me as the "optimistic one." Each day at my job I meet young kids who are exploring aviation, and I love to share my passion with them. It would truly mean a lot to me if I could convince others to follow their dreams in aviation or anything else for that matter. I say this because role models have had a huge influence on me. When I attended Women Soar, it was one of the most magical experiences of my life. I met so many female pilots who once strived for the same goals as I do, and to hear their success really made a difference in my life. They made me become more determined and motivated that ever before. And, because of that I would like to do the same for any children with a dream. I needed people to stand behind me, to make me believe. And I am more than willing to show others what they can achieve.

I'm a bit unsure where my desire, my ambition, or my motivation comes from. But each day I wake up, I strive to make each day better and I strive to make a difference. I have always been fascinated by the immense world of aviation, and that in itself inspires me. When I achieve something, it just motivates me to do more. But also, when I don't achieve something I still keep trying. As for my career path, I stay motivated because I dream of waking up and having a job that I love each day. I would like a job in aviation, what I'm most passionate about. And whether that turns out to be behind the controls as a pilot, or behind the scenes as an engineer; I'm not sure you can go wrong with any career in aviation. And now I'm very determined to become involved with Girls With Wings! I have to admit, I didn't know much about it until a year ago but since then, I truly think it's an incredible organization that I would love to be a part of. Just the fact that it has so much to offer girls like me makes me want to stay involved. Not just for my own benefit, but for the possibility it gives me to help others as well. For example, take one of your role models, Jill. She has helped me so much (probably more than she knows) and I would love to do the same for another girl.

For the longest time, I've been trying to become as involved as I can possibly be in aviation. It all started when I used to implore my parents to go to the airport when I was a toddler. Then because of that I was introduced to EAA's Young Eagles Days. Now, I try to attend Women Soar in 2010. There I made many connections and even eared the Ragged Edge Scholarship to Space Camp (which I attended in 2011)! Also, my local EAA chapter then sponsored me to attend EAA Air Academy in 2011. Through EAA I have become very close with certain people have been great mentors to me. I've also accomplished a significant part of the Sporty's Online course given to me through EAA/Sporty's. On another note, I am a member of WAI and AOPA. I attend their summits and events when they are close by. And currently, I've earned myself a position at EAA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the whole summer as a "Cliff Robertson Work Experience" Intern; which I am ecstatic about! Not only do I get to work at the Air Academy, but I work at the AirVenture Museum, AirVenture, and even get to fly! It is the perfect job for me at the moment. And lastly, for my senior year, my high school has agreed to give me credit for an internship at a local airport.Even though, with all of the amazing experiences I have had so far in aviation; it still does not help me scale my biggest obstacle: the cost of flight training. Sure I may have gone to camps and had experiences; but the $100+ a lesson still awaits me. My parents are really struggling at the moment financially; we barely live paycheck to paycheck. Neither of them are at all connected to the field of aviation, so it's all up to me. I'm not the girl whose dad is a pilot and is best friends with the CFI at the local airport. My parents support me and my dreams; but I need that extra help. And I'm applying for this scholarship because I genuinely need help; not because I don't want to try. I'm trying the hardest I can to earn money for a pilot's license. In my free time I spend countless hours on graphic design (videos, brochures, etc), cleaning houses, or baby-sitting to earn some cash. I also made an online campaign in which I do volunteer work in exchange for money I receive. I'm not one to settle for things handed down to me, I'm willing to work and to live up to whatever expectations I have to meet. The "Dreams Take Flight" scholarship would enable me to receive a good chunk of flying lessons and would give me a huge push toward achieving my license. It's exactly what I need to make my dreams come true. Right now, any amount can help me and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to soar.

Thank you for taking your time to read my essay. My true love is aviation and I really thank Girls With Wings for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my life long goals.

Scholarship Winner Meagan's Application Essay

We are so excited to present to you the application essays from the two Girls With Wings Summer Scholarship Winners!

The Girls With Wings Scholarship Program provides funds for flight training to selected individuals with a willingness to be superlative GWW role models. Winners show potential to continue her interaction with the GWW organization, via the website and events, so she can assist GWW in encouraging more young girls to have an interest in aviation. Part of the obligation for being awarded the scholarship is to submit at least one picture and an associated journal entry once a month for three months to the Girls With Wings blog to share with others her training, as well as email a final essay summarizing how the scholarship helped her, what she learned and her intent to continue her work as a role model and volunteer for the Girls With Wings, Inc., organization.

Meagan is the recipient of our $1000 Private Pilot Flight Training Scholarship.

My name is Meagan Gearin and I'm a student pilot at Pinnacle Aviation Academy, in Carlsbad, Ca. I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree, in Political Science, in August, 2011. After I graduated college, I immediately enrolled in a Private Pilot ground school class and took my first discovery flight on September 21, 2011 (which is reflected in the copy of my logbook). After my discovery flight, I immediately fell in love with flying and have been committed to obtaining my Private Pilot Certificate ever since. 

I was initially inspired to get involved in aviation when I met a female First Officer for American Airlines. I never knew that becoming a pilot was a possibility for a woman until I met her in 2011. That is precisely why I want to become involved in the Girls With Wings organization and why I think it's so important for young girls to have female pilot role models. I think exposing girls to aviation, at a young age, will inform them that becoming a pilot is possible for a girl/teenager/woman. I didn't know becoming a pilot was possible until I was 27 years old because I didn't have a female pilot role model. I grew up in a non-aviation environment; therefore, I wasn't exposed to aviation as a young girl. 

I would love to inspire young girls to pursue a career in aviation. I think planting the seed of possibility is the first step in inspiring someone to pursue a goal or dream. I wish someone would have exposed me to aviation at a young age or would've brought the idea of flying an airplane to my attention. If someone had brought flying to my attention when I was a little girl, then I'm sure I would have become a pilot long ago. 

My plan for becoming involved in the Girls With Wings organization is to first create a blog on the GWW website, in order to inform the reader of what it's like to be a female pilot. I will share my lessons, how I feel, what I'm learning, and most importantly, spread the joy of flying and provide insight into the world of being a female pilot in command of an aircraft. Along with creating a blog, I will attend girls' club meetings at an elementary school. My best friend is a 5th grade teacher in Oceanside, Ca. She was the 2011 Teacher of the Year for Oceanside School District and was nominated for Teacher of the Year for San Diego County. Every school year she creates a Girls' Empowerment Club, which I think is the perfect outlet for exposing the Girls With Wings organization. My plan is to obtain the necessary resources, tools, and information, from the Girls With Wings organization, and relay that information to her 5th grade Girls' Empowerment Club. I will inform them about the Dreams Take Flight scholarship and, hopefully, inspire them to pursue a career in aviation. 

I'm relatively new to the entire world of aviation, so I'm working on networking and becoming more involved. I've recently become an associate member of the Ninety-Nines and a member of the Girls With Wings organization. 

I'm greatly in need of financial aid in pursuing my Private Pilot Certificate. I was working 60 hours a week, in order to pay for my lessons, up until the end of June, when I lost my second job. I'll be working 2 jobs again, beginning July 11th (I just a got hired as a flight dispatcher at Pinnacle Aviation Academy), and working 3 jobs beginning July 14th (I'll be working at the Del Mar race track as a server for the 6 week racing season). I'm working as hard as I can to make my dream of flying come true. 

I've provided a copy of my logbook and will be happy to provide more information if needed. As of today (6/30/12), I have logged a total of 65 hours of flight time and have flown all my required solo cross country and night flights. I still need to take the written exam, prepare for my end of course, do "mock" check rides, and take the actual check ride for my Private Pilot Certificate. These items combined will well exceed the $1,000 scholarship; however, having the peace of mind in knowing that I won't have to worry about the money, will allow me to completely focus on studying and preparing for my check ride. I'm 100% financially independent and money is always a concern for me, especially since my student loans for my Bachelor's Degree are due, as well. I'm progressing as quickly as I can and will continue to move forward until I've reached my overall goal of becoming a commercial or corporate pilot. 

Please note: Meagan successfully passed her checkride on July 21st and became a Private Pilot prior to the announcement of the award. Since expenses were still incurred after the close of the scholarship application window in pursuit of this rating, we are allowing her to apply the funds to training already received (up to $1000). She will still be submitting blog entries on her flight training experiences.

These are the happy beginnings we live for!

From Alaina, a Girls With Wings Spring 2012 Scholarship winner:

"Hello everyone, I'm back with exciting news! Sunday August 12th, I passed my check ride for my private pilot license! I took my exam with Martha Lunken, the editor of a column in the Flying magazine. In our part of town, she is almost a flying legend; Martha is one of those people that it seems everyone in the Ohio piloting community has heard about. 

Overall I would say my exam went very smoothly. I was a little nervous because I was not behind the controls of my Aeronca Champ, but over the past few months the little 150 and I had become well-acquainted enough that I could perform the maneuvers without a problem. Luckily for me, the winds were no greater than 6 knots and were blowing almost right down the runway at Red Stewart Airfield. However, I would say the greatest advantage I had was having Martha as a flight examiner; even though she had previously been part of the Federal Aviation Administration (more commonly referred to as the FAA) I was not intimidated in the least bit--except the fact that I was flying with Martha Lunken. THAT was pretty cool. Having the ground portion of the examination was more like a conversation about pertinent aviation information rather than a grilling for obscure facts and numbers. As for the flying portion, our headsets weren't compatible, but we still got in the air anyways. On our emergency landing check, we probably got within thirty feet of the ground before I could add power again (but no worries, we would have made it safely into the field!). 

Overall, it was a very neat experience. I am also relieved to have wrapped up my training before school started--whew! I wouldn't have been able to do it without Girls With Wings and the support from my friends and family. Thank you so much everyone for making my dreams come true!

Happy Flying!"

The Girls With Wings Scholarship Program provides funds for flight training to selected individuals with a willingness to be superlative GWW role models. Winners show potential to continue her interaction with the GWW organization, via the website and events, so she can assist GWW in encouraging more young girls to have an interest in aviation. Part of the obligation for being awarded the scholarship is to submit at least one picture and an associated journal entry once a month for three months to the Girls With Wings blog to share with others her training, as well as email a final essay summarizing how the scholarship helped her, what she learned and her intent to continue her work as a role model and volunteer for the Girls With Wings, Inc., organization.

Natalie's Final Scholarship Essay

The time has arrived - when we read the final essays of the Girls With Wings Spring Scholarship Winners and anxiously await the essays from the Summer Scholarship Winners (starting Sept 1st).

The Girls With Wings Scholarship Program provides funds for flight training to selected individuals with a willingness to be superlative GWW role models. Winners show potential to continue her interaction with the GWW organization, via the website and events, so she can assist GWW in encouraging more young girls to have an interest in aviation. Part of the obligation for being awarded the scholarship is to submit at least one picture and an associated journal entry once a month for three months to the Girls With Wings blog to share with others her training, as well as email a final essay summarizing how the scholarship helped her, what she learned and her intent to continue her work as a role model and volunteer for the Girls With Wings, Inc., organization.

This is Natalie's final essay:

Aviation Dreams Do Come True
Written By: Natalie Campana

Never in my wildest dreams would I have awakened on my birthday with this hope and desire to finish my ticket! This is like an Olympic dream for me. I am thankful to God for blessing me with the knowledge, dedication and passion for this amazing accomplishment! I am also thankful for my husband who stood by me, my CFI instructor who is the best in the business, and my family and friends for their faith in me and encouragement to finish this long awaited goal! Every landing, I think about my late grandparents, Nun and Tut, flying TWA. I aim for the perfect landing each time since they always talked about those wonderful landings! In the fifth grade, I visited Pittsburgh International Airport back when you could shop, eat and watch the planes land. It was great since pilots would speak about their passion for aviation. I believe you should never give up on a dream! No matter how old or how tough, you can accomplish all things through God!

Bessie Coleman, "I refuse to take no for an answer."

You practice, practice and practice having faith in your Flight School and determination within yourself. Then, your Certified Flight Instructor signs you off. In a weird way, it is that same feeling when your Mom gives you the keys to the car. You are excited, yet, understand the responsibility, oath and dedication to be safe. You have to remember to always fly right and realize your learning has just begun.

As of August 6, 2012, I earned my Wings to fly, as a Private Pilot. My Private Pilot FAA Checkride was scheduled to start at 1500z (9:00am). Although, the weather at 2G2 was great VFR, the route and destination airport were IFR to Marginal VFR. Everything was ready to go! The preflight fueling was complete to the Pilot Operation Handbook (POH) yet, I kept hoping Weather Briefer could magically make the weather VFR from 2G2 to KFWQ. It did not work out. As I waited an hour to see the updated weather report, I contacted my DPE and we rescheduled for 2200z (5:00pm) since the outlook forecast showed a VFR forecast. During this time, I reviewed the PTS standards, mentally flew in my head and just relaxed. At 2100z (4:00pm), I preflighted again and checked WX Briefer. Everything was a go! Now, it was my turn to showcase my knowledge and skills as a private pilot.

Amelia Earhart, "My ambition is to have this wonderful gift produce practical results for the future of commercial flying and for the women who may want to fly tomorrow's planes."

Now, I am flying the rental Cessna 172S G1000. It showcases the best advancements for general aviation. However, flying, navigating and communicating are still the same in any aircraft. I contacted Pittsburgh Approach for a flight advisory since flying under Airspace Bravo. This is smart flying to Rostraver, Pa. The early evening brought great weather to fly and many were out for their after-dinner flights. I watched a small aircraft fly under me to Delta calling their waypoint to transition for descent. It was a beautiful flight over.

Colonel Mary S. Fiek, "Aim high and follow your dream."

On the Private Pilot FAA Checkride, I was a little nervous. However, my DPE was professional and passionate about aviation. I felt honored to fly with a Captain of an airliner. He followed the PTS standards which I had prepared for this day. There were no surprises or anything out of the ordinary. I had the proper training and preparation. You just cannot be nervous. As a teacher, I tell my students going into competition, “You are ready. You have prepared and have fun.” This advice was given to me by my Certified Flight Instructor. The flight felt like two minutes. The final landing was my favorite, Emergency power off landings. This landing was my first to learn when I started and I just love it, especially adding an emergency descent. My CFI, Phillip Bender's favorite phrase which is so true, "Stabilized approaches make for predictable landings!" I landed, cleaned up the airplane, and followed shut down procedure from the POH. The DPE shook my hand and said, "Congratulations!"

The Flight home felt like a scene from a movie. It was beautiful, bright and amazing that I was no longer titled "Student Pilot"! I flew home using Flight Watch and switched to VFR once at the Ohio River listening to Pittsburgh Approach's directions. Then, I squawked 1200, I decided to circle around my old neighborhood. It seemed more magical today. Then, as I looked to my left, I realized the airport was three miles away and I flew home a private pilot.

At home, everyone was calling, texting or stopping over to hear the great news! As a celebration, I took my future lady aviators out for ice cream at everyone's favorite local ice cream shop. We talked about preflight, flying around the United States, weight and balance, geography, radio traffic and weather. They truly cannot wait to fly themselves.

I want to personally thank Girls with Wings and the 99's Antelope Chapter for making this scholarship possible. My goal is to continue inspiring other future lady aviators through activities hosted at 2G2 to aviation events from FAA, EAA and AOPA. Our EAA Chapter 859 was so fortunate to have guest speaker, CarolAnn Garrett visit 2G2. She flew in with the Mooney that traveled around the world. I invited my little cousins and neighbor twin girls who have a desire to become future lady aviators. We all were inspired by CarolAnn. She had a great multimedia presentation along with her wonderful books detailing in photographs and text from the three trips around the world to fund research for ALS. Her determination and dedication to let nothing stop her inspired me and the future lady aviators to never allow dreams to fade away. A few times I became frustrated. However, there is no great accomplishment that does not have a few bumps in the sky to keep wings level and fly through. At the age of three years old, I watched an airplane fly over my head at this same airport I took off of to become a private pilot. I knew this dream was going to become a reality. Thank you for believing in my aviation dream!

Happy Flying,
Natalie Campana-Lucas

Gabby's Final Scholarship Essay

The time has arrived - when we read the final essays of the Girls With Wings Spring Scholarship Winners and anxiously await the announcement of the Summer Scholarship Winners (August 1st).

The Girls With Wings Scholarship Program provides funds for flight training to selected individuals with a willingness to be superlative GWW role models. Winners show potential to continue her interaction with the GWW organization, via the website and events, so she can assist GWW in encouraging more young girls to have an interest in aviation. Part of the obligation for being awarded the scholarship is to submit at least one picture and an associated journal entry once a month for three months to the Girls With Wings blog to share with others her training, as well as email a final essay summarizing how the scholarship helped her, what she learned and her intent to continue her work as a role model and volunteer for the Girls With Wings, Inc., organization.

This is Gabby's final essay:

Outline about ATIS & ATC

If someone asked me, Which is easier to operate: a car or a plane? I would say a plane but not because it's easier, but because its better! Flying a plane is very fun! I like to experience new things and being in the air is definitely one of them. In fact, that is why I enjoy flying so much. Being in the air is a new thing for me, and the flight is different every time so it makes it that much more exciting! I anticipate it every time I schedule a flight lesson with my flight instructor. I scheduled a lesson for July 30th and of course it was different. My CFI let me speak to the ATC, or air traffic control, for the first time. It was intimidating, but I learned how to do it with his help. I learned how to write down the ATIS which includes wind speed and direction, temperature/dew point, visibility, sky condition, altimeter, and runway(s) in use. I also learned how to tune in to the different frequencies for the airport and to ask for clearance before taxing on the runway and before takeoff.

Smiling after preforming slow flight

After that, the lesson for that day was to practice 90 degree turns and slow flight. The 90 degree turns were pretty easy to do. It gave me more practice with maintaining altitude and keeping the vertical stabilizer at zero! The slow flight was simple and easy to do as well for me. It is just the point of remembering that in slow flight, pitch controls speed and power controls altitude which basically means the way to maintain steady flight changes. We stayed in slow flight until my CFI and I decided to go to a different airport to land. We went to Pine Mountain and landed at their short field airport. It was very small and it did not have a tower, but was nice to land at a different airport for a change. The wind was beginning to pick up, so when we were ready to depart, takeoff was difficult. We really had to focus and I had to know how to handle the situation.We managed to make it back to Columbus airport okay, but when we got there, we realized the wind was picking up there too! So, landing and taxing was difficult as well. The ailerons had to be used during taxing to compensate for the wind to keep the plane from blowing over. While my CFI was pushing the plane back into place, I took the tach and hobbes time and logged it down. Then, we discussed the flight, and I left to go home and study!

Pictures after postflight!

My scholarship reward is now used up. Will this be the end of my flight forever? Of course not! I will keep flying and I will stay with the aviation program as long as possible. I will keep my affiliation with the Girls With Wings Organization and I always blog my progress! I feel very privileged to have been chosen to receive this scholarship from Girls With Wings. Without it, I would have never been able to progress in my dream of flying. It helped me to go to the flight school of my choice and to get one of the best CFI's. I'm almost sure I'll be able to get my private pilot license very soon before I go to college at Embry-Riddle. I learned so much as well. I learned how to do almost all the things pilots do such as safely takeoff and land, speak to the ATC, and to work hard. I have every intention of continuing to be a role model to other girls and a volunteer for Girls With Wings. As mentioned before, I will continue to blog and share my stories and experiences with others. I want to say a special thank you to Lynda Meeks for being a great model for young girls and myself as well! Also, thanks to Alaina and Natalie, who are the other scholarship winners, for sharing your stories which I read and will remember as a great example for me!   Thanks again! 

 

Sincerely,

Gabby Howell

[p.s. Awesome T-shirt, Gabby! - Lynda]

Alaina's Final Scholarship Essay

The time has arrived - when we read the final essays of the Girls With Wings Spring Scholarship Winners and anxiously await the announcement of the Summer Scholarship Winners (August 1st).

The Girls With Wings Scholarship Program provides funds for flight training to selected individuals with a willingness to be superlative GWW role models. Winners show potential to continue her interaction with the GWW organization, via the website and events, so she can assist GWW in encouraging more young girls to have an interest in aviation. Part of the obligation for being awarded the scholarship is to submit at least one picture and an associated journal entry once a month for three months to the Girls With Wings blog to share with others her training, as well as email a final essay summarizing how the scholarship helped her, what she learned and her intent to continue her work as a role model and volunteer for the Girls With Wings, Inc., organization.

This is Alaina's final essay:

"As the summer is winding up, so is my flight training. I have had a month jam-packed full of new experiences, so hold on to your headsets as you read about these new adventures!  First off, my instructor and I worked on towered airports. Thankfully, the Aeronca Champ I had been flying had a radio, so talking to other people while flying wasn’t totally new to me. 

Checking the fuel in the Cessna 150

I was going to begin my tower work at Springfield Beckley Airport, a relatively quiet and tiny Class D airport. As luck would have it, the tower was closed for the day, so instead of throwing in the towel, we went to Dayton International. You know the really busy airport that has jets flying in and out all day long? That one. My first towered airport was in a highly congested Class C airspace; I swore I would never return until I landed on runway 6R in a Cessna 150 while a Delta airliner landed on runway 6L. THAT made the stress of dealing with the crazy instructions totally worth it. It was only until I went back to Springfield Beckley that I learned that towered airports weren’t all that hectic. Also, I soloed in the 150!! I’ve shot some takeoffs and landings at Red Stewart Airfield, Lebanon Warren County, and even Springfield Beckley. I have the sectional maps of Ohio on a poster board in my room; each new airport I land at gets a thumbtack stuck over top of it. I guess without expressly stating it, I have a secret goal to hit all the public airports in Ohio before I leave for the Air Force Academy next summer (if I’m so fortunate to make it in).

Enroute to the 4th airport on my 6 hour cross country flight

As for my solo cross country flight over 150 nautical miles, I chose to take the Champ up around Columbus, Ohio; I hit nine new airports in just over six hours. The trip was over 232 nautical miles of fun, with a mix of grass fields, paved runways, and tons of new faces. Next up is night flight! WOW! The lights of the city are absolutely gorgeous up in the air! If things weren’t so hard to find at night (This glob of lights looks really similar to that glob of lights… and emergency landing spots? Yikes!) I would get no sleep because I’d be flying all night long. Last but not least, I have to mention instrument flying. This is the part of the private pilot training that I was dreading the most—something about not being able to look out of the window seemed terribly frightening to me. However, when I put on the hood, flying instruments wasn’t as bad as I had been envisioning; keep a heading, keep an altitude, don’t turn too steep—not too bad. Navigating could get a little tricky (okay, maybe a lot tricky), but hey, I’m in one piece, and so is the airplane.

So what does all this mean?? I am getting close to my checkride! My instructor says I am on target to have it completed before school starts at the end of August, which is really really exciting because it seems like it is within reach now! I have to give one million thanks to Lynda Meeks and the Girls With Wings Program; without them, this never would have been possible. I’ll make sure to keep you all updated on my flying- you will hear from me again soon!"

Gabby's Second Scholarship Essay

The Girls With Wings Scholarship Program provides funds for flight training to selected individuals with a willingness to be superlative GWW role models. Winners show potential to continue her interaction with the GWW organization, via the website and events, so she can assist GWW in encouraging more young girls to have an interest in aviation. Part of the obligation for being awarded the scholarship is to submit at least one picture and an associated journal entry once a month for three months to the Girls With Wings blog to share with others her training, as well as email a final essay summarizing how the scholarship helped her, what she learned and her intent to continue her work as a role model and volunteer for the Girls With Wings, Inc., organization. 

Stay tuned for more essays from our other scholarship winners AND an announcement of winners for our Summer Scholarship Program, too. 

My parents have always told the truth whenever they told me I still have a lot to learn. The reason is because I do! I have a lot left to learn about being a pilot, but I have learned much already. 

I believe I have advanced pretty far since my first lesson on Monday, June 4th. I had a total of 5 lessons so far! I couldn't settle with just knowing how to takeoff and land, so I enrolled in ground school as well. Then I purchased a private pilot kit and now I have books to study out of and to use as references. This helps me to get to know the plane inside and out, know more about the weather and how it affects the plane and to pass the private pilot exam. 

Gabby holding the ATC lightgun

My flight instructor and I developed a pattern where I go in every Monday and we do ground school twice in row and then we fly the next time. In fact, this Monday we were supposed to go up, but the ceilings were too low for VFR flight. Instead, though, we took a tour of the Air Traffic Control Tower. Although, this wasn't my first time going up to visit the ATC, every time I go up there I learn something new! 

This time I learned how they do the Automatic Terminal Information Service ATIS. They have to change letters every time they do one and they do one every 3 hours except, of course, when the weather is extreme. The ATC also has to keep in touch with all approaching aircraft in order to keep them from crashing into each other. For example, if a plane loses its radios, ATC has to guide it in with a spotlight, or lightgun, that lights up different colors such as red, green, and white. 

I experienced something new in the Tower and I hope to keep experiencing new and exciting things I never knew about as I continue my flight training. I know I have a lot to learn and thanks to Girls With Wings, learning just got a lot easier!

Alaina's Second Scholarship Essay

The Girls With Wings Scholarship Program provides funds for flight training to selected individuals with a willingness to be superlative GWW role models. Winners show potential to continue her interaction with the GWW organization, via the website and events, so she can assist GWW in encouraging more young girls to have an interest in aviation. Part of the obligation for being awarded the scholarship is to submit at least one picture and an associated journal entry once a month for three months to the Girls With Wings blog to share with others her training, as well as email a final essay summarizing how the scholarship helped her, what she learned and her intent to continue her work as a role model and volunteer for the Girls With Wings, Inc., organization.

Stay tuned for more essays from our other scholarship winner AND DON'T FORGET we have a Summer Scholarship Program, too. Applications will be accepted until June 30th.

United States Air Force Academy

Already it is nearing the end of June—wow! This last month has passed in a whirlwind of excitement. Part of the reason why time flew I feel is because I spent two weeks engulfed in military academies, one week at the Air Force Academy, one week at West Point. Both were extremely enjoyable, mentally challenging, and physically demanding, but in the end I was left with many new friends and a better grasp on the dreams I am chasing; I belong at USAFA. The campus is beautiful, the programs are excellent, and best of all, they are just as enthused about flying as I am. And, as a plus, if you have your private pilot's license by the time you enter, you are eligible to compete on the flight team as a freshman... just one more perk of chasing down that license, huh?

Alaina, farthest to the right

It will all be worth the time and effort in the end; the past few lessons I've received have been quite a challenge. I've moved up to flying a Cessna 150, which is slightly larger and newer than the trusty ol' Aeronca Champ I'm so used to flying. Jumping into the 150 reminds me of when I changed schools during my freshman year of high school; almost everything is unfamiliar, and I don’t know where many things are located anymore. Well, at least that’s what it seems like to me. Instead of flying with a stick, I have a yoke now… the first time I tried to taxi, I tried driving the plane like a car! Looking back, I realize that is totally irrational—I know how a yoke works. Even then, I knew that turning it to the right moves the ailerons and not the tires.

You have my permission to laugh… so did my instructor.

The stick/yoke isn’t the strangest part, however. In a Champ, the throttle is located on the left wall of the plane. Well guess what, in a Cessna 150, it sits to the right of the pilot on the dash. Woah. I feel I could take on the NAV/COM, lights, transponder and other electrical gear easier than the throttle just because I don’t have anything to compare them to (the Champ was built before they had electric systems!).

My favorite part about the Cessna? It has flaps. I don’t know if I could give you a specific reason why—maybe it’s because they are totally new, maybe it’s because they give you some killer drag—but they are awesome. My lesson yesterday consisted of many many many “landing configuration” stalls in the air, and then we moved to the traffic pattern to use those in the landing sequence. Each time before I was allowed to put the flaps down, I had to call out “White arc!” to confirm that we were between V_SO and V_FE (the minimum and maximum flaps extended speeds labeled on the airspeed indicator by a white arc). To get me into this habit, my instructor compared it to the physical training at the military academies; before beginning, we had to call out each exercise we were about to perform to the platoon leader. Piece of cake now, right? I definitely got lots of practice in that area.

I’m hoping to fit a lot of flight time between the time now and school starts, and I’m sure I will have a lot more adventures to share. In the mean time, I’m going to get back to studying for the written test. Forever tailwinds fellow aviators and aviatrices!

Natalie's Second Scholarship Essay

The Girls With Wings Scholarship Program provides funds for flight training to selected individuals with a willingness to be superlative GWW role models. Winners show potential to continue her interaction with the GWW organization, via the website and events, so she can assist GWW in encouraging more young girls to have an interest in aviation. Part of the obligation for being awarded the scholarship is to submit at least one picture and an associated journal entry once a month for three months to the Girls With Wings blog to share with others her training, as well as email a final essay summarizing how the scholarship helped her, what she learned and her intent to continue her work as a role model and volunteer for the Girls With Wings, Inc., organization.

Stay tuned for more essays from our other scholarship winner AND DON'T FORGET we have a Summer Scholarship Program, too. Applications will be accepted until June 30th.

Every night, I pray for a beautiful VFR (Visual Flight Rules) day. I hop into my Jeep, trying not to speed to the airport with intense excitement. Hangar 19, Sierra waits to be pulled out into the glorious sunshine, my beautiful 172. In any great course, my CFI and I go over the daily accomplishments from the Practical Test Standards (PTS), discuss a flight plan focused on PTS standards, and praises to what was achieved from the following day. My 172 is tugged from her sleepy Hangar ready for her preflight and head out to the taxiway for departure on Runway 14 or 32.


Today, I woke to a usual Ohio area forecast. As soon as I arrived at the airport, I called WXBriefer hoping and praying that the rain would hold off until my lesson was completed then I wouldn’t care if it poured buckets. I was happy to hear no airmets, only a high pressure system, thank goodness no Temporary Flight Restrictions, or TFRs. My flight goals were to fly a heading, track to a VOR, full flap landings and radio clearance into Class Delta airspace. Now, the standard briefing:  KPIT was winds at 110 at 3knots, 10 statue mile visibility. KHLG had a different wind direction at 150 at 3knots, 6 statue mile visibility. The Altimeter was 30.08. Hooray, this was looking good.


Ground School, my CFI and I discussed the flight goals, simulated the flight path in a discussion for me to have visual. This is great to grasp the competencies that need accomplished for the PTS standards. I find that Q&A is helpful since I cross reference my answers to the FARS, AIM, ASA and Gleim textbooks. Utilizing and setting up Ground School as a college course has been successful for me.


Taking off from Runway 14, I flew north to the usual spot practicing turns around a point, S-Turns, Emergency landings, then back to the airport. Turn around a point maneuver, watching where the wind was coming from, adjusting my trim to lock in airspeed, power for altitude, monitoring the RPM. Finally, looking out, making sure the tip of the wing was on my reference point selected by my CFI. I had to observe all this while maintaining good airmanship.  Once, this was accomplished, I was directed to S-Turns maneuver, again upholding my airspeed, altitude and RPM. This maneuver is one of my favorites, I just use the directional compass with the heading bug to complete my 90 degree turns. As I cross the road, my CFI pulls the throttle. He states, "you lost the engine." Immediately, you have to set up Best Rate of Glide which is 70knots in the Cessna 172SP. Then, you should always be looking for a landing site in case of an emergency off airport landing. As soon as, I set up glide, point my LZ, CFI pushed the throttle and pack to pull power. Another emergency landing at the airport being two miles out at 3,000 feet. My CFI pulled the throttle and I immediately set up for Best Rate of Glide. I realized in my practices that you cannot rush, 70knots truly is the best. Practicing these maneuvers has a greater purpose to making a pilot better in various situations from good to bad.


Heading to KHLG, I tracked a heading to the Bellaire VOR, intercepted it and turned while calling Wheeling. I was given clearance. It was for a Runway 21, left pattern. Being able to talk to ATC was great practice especially since it was a woman Air Traffic Controller. After a few landings, we departed to the Northwest for home watching a C130 based out of Pittsburgh flying towards Wheeling at a different altitude was still unique to see.


The end of the Flight Lesson finished with a full flap landings to wrap up the day. It was two hours added to my log book. My CFI and I sat down to discuss the final game plan. The end is near, I still need to study for the FAA Oral portion, I need to finish taking my practice PTS standards and prepare the cross country portion. I believe that dreams do come true, especially when you do not stop trying. Gotta Go Fly...

Written by: Natalie Campana
Photos by: Cloud 9 Aviation

Finding fans of Penelope Pilot - and you can help!

Lynda Meeks and her dad, Norm

Any of you that have had any interaction with Girls With Wings at Oshkosh or an Aviation Inspiration Day has met my dad, Norm. The guy has gone completely crazy about Girls With Wings. And I mean crazy because the guy does a whole heck of a lot of work around this nonprofit organization without any compensation at all.

Well, not completely "at all." He'll tell you that he gets his reward interacting with people instead. Recently we were in a Outfitter's store near the Boundary Waters in Minnesota and he began talking up the Penelope Pilot book. Believe it or not, they bought it. Literally, I mean. They're placing an order for a few copies to try it out. An outfitter's store. That's where they sell gear for hiking, canoeing, camping. Not much in the way of aviation stuff.

For example, he wrote this quick summary of a recent exchange:

I arrived at a friend's house on my motorcycle, not realizing that a package that I had crammed into my jacket pocket had fallen out along the way.  I remembered that in one of the neighborhoods I had seen a woman in the street picking up something after I went by. I went back and stopped at the house and, yes, by golly, she said had seen the bag lying in the street and went out to dispose of it thinking it was trash.  Since it was just filled with miscellaneous hardware, she put it in her garbage.  She was more than a little surprised that I came back for it!


After thanking the lady for her helpfulness, I prepared to start my bike. But then I noticed that there were little girls playing in the drive.  This is always my open invitation to start talking about Girls With Wings and Penelope Pilot....  When I mentioned the book "Penelope Pilot and Her First Day as Captain," two of the little girls said "Oh, we've read that book!' with huge smiles on their faces!


Lo and behold, they had checked the book out of the Rochester, MN, public library the previous week.  Both the girls and the mother were ecstatic in their description of reading the book together and passing it around to other girls in the neighborhood.  I then took the opportunity to describe the GWW website and the (at that time) upcoming Aviation Inspiration Day at Fleming Field in South Saint Paul MN.  The woman told me that they would look at the website and come to the event.


Small wonderful world!

See what I mean? What an amazing coincidence to run into these girls in a town with a population of over 106,000. After all, this is a first time author's (me) children's book, self published, dealing with a book about an airline pilot and how she prepares for a flight. And yes, it is a book for both boys and girls - but just happens to feature a female pilot. And though the book is in several different libraries, at these two at least, the librarians at his and mine assure us that it is unbelievably popular (based on the number of times it has been checked out) relative to the very many children's picture books in their inventory.

Ariel and Sarah, with Madeleine

So great is the appeal of the book that we have actually acquired a few new fans - a couple of which you may be fans of yourself:   Ariel Tweto and Sarah Fraher, the two female pilots of Discovery Channel's Flying Wild Alaska! A recent press release announces the donation of FIFTY Penelope Pilot and her First Day as Captain children's book by Jones Dykstra and Associates, a digital forensics, cybercrime investigation, e-discovery, and expert witness company. The books will be delivered to Alaska's remote villages later this fall. ”I think it’s important for women to fly,” Tweto said. “If what Sarah and I are doing can provide a little glimmer of hope to the people of these villages, that’s just really inspiring for me personally.”

P.s. the young girl with Sarah in the above picture has been mentioned NUMEROUS times in this blog.

This has inspired us to do a little book drop of our own. We always get such rave reviews for the book but far too many people say, "but I have no one to buy it for." So Very Important Pilots, the operator of the Girls With Wings Pilot Shop, is going to contribute free shipping and handling for fans that would like to donate a copy of Penelope Pilot and her First Day as Captain to their local library. This way every kid has the chance to learn that Dreams take Flight! We'll even include a personalized acknowledgement of the generous individual's contribution inside the front cover (if desired). What do you think? I think there are people out there that care this much to let kids know that "Yes, Girls Can Fly!" Don't you agree?


Just go to the Pilot Shop to buy a Penelope Pilot book at $15.95 and enter the code Library at checkout for free media mail shipping. Put the donor's name in the "Bill to" and the Library's name in the "Ship to." Make sure you enter any special comments (please clearly specify donor and recipient if need be) in the appropriate box. You can do it! [Remember, profits from the sale of the book are donated to Girls With Wings, so GWW benefits twice.]


Of course tell your friends that they can do it too. Help spread the our goal to encourage more girls to have an interest in aviation. We thank you. The kids will thank you.