The Girls With Wings Pilot Shop is CLOSING!

It was with great sadness that I recently had to announce the closing of the Girls With Wings Pilot Shop, the place to get licensed GWW merchandise and all the aviation themed accessories I could find that would appeal to girls and ladies. My reason for starting the line was simple: I wanted to offer the kind of merchandise I could buy for my nieces that I could get for my nephews. When I became a pilot in 1993, there was virtually nothing available. I had to buy the girls (first one born in 2001), things that were maybe a periwinkle blue - as close as I could get to purple.

Delaney, now 11

I started out by buying a $2500 embroidery machine, with which I stitched out my self styled airplane logo onto tees and onesies for friends and co-workers. So many people responded with enthusiasm to my offerings that I soon realized that a bigger issue was at stake - why weren't these products already available? Why was half of our population excluded from all this cool aviation swag? And did this perhaps have something to do why the pilot population remained 94% male?

So with my small success thus far, and to reduce my losses with screwing up the embroidery so much, I had some tees screen printed (said niece born in 2001 modeling first one to the left). And I started attending shows and conferences to sell my wares. The enthusiasm with which my things were received encouraged me to continue booking these booths, but there are major costs involved. Some of these booths cost several thousand dollars, and once you add in my travel, lodging and shipping, I was never breaking even, much less making a profit to return to Girls With Wings, Inc, the nonprofit organization. Online sales were not setting any world records either, no matter how much I tweeted and facebooked about it. If you've ever owned a business, not even necessarily a store, you know the overhead of which I speak and have to cover.

One of the early booths at Oshkosh

And so, I regret to say that I just have to close the shop. So many people have responded with an aghast "But you can't! There's no other place for us buy these things!!" I know, I know. But I've been personally subsidizing the endeavor and I just can't do so anymore in its present form. So for the time being I am offering clearance prices (mostly 50% off) on all remaining merchandise. When things settle down and I can look at how to reformat the structure, I hope to reopen the Girls With Wings line. Sales have gone through the roof since I marked the prices down to what I paid for the items (or even less than) and its a basic business practice that you can't continue running a business at so great a loss.

But I do want to reiterate: Girls With Wings, Inc., the nonprofit organization, is NOT GOING ANYWHERE. We will continue our outreach activities because the need to do so  is still there. In fact, I want to share with you this amazing email I just received (via the store website, BTW).

Anna getting her personalized copy of Penelope Pilot

Writes Jennifer:

I just wanted to write to you about a recent event that happened on our flight this month. 

My daughter Anna and I discovered this program along with the Penelope Pilot book when we met Linda at Air and Space in Washington, D.C. in 2011.  Linda spent the time to talk to Anna and autograph her copy.  The book has become one our favorites. 

At the age of 6, my daughter has become quite the frequent flier.  She carries the book with her on many flights.  Several pilots have invited her to come take a look in the cockpit as we board the plane.  Unfortunately, we have lost our paper doll Penelope, but we still take the picture.

This leads me to our most recent flight back from Europe.  Late in the flight, I  thought I heard the female voice on the intercom say she was the pilot.  I stopped one of the flight attendants to ask if indeed we had a female pilot.  You should have seen this male flight attendants face.  His face lit up and puffed his chest a little as he proudly told us that his crew was led by the first long-haul female pilot for SAS (my emphasis). In fact, the whole crew seemed quite proud of this fact.  He even told us that he would get the pilot to sign Anna's book and that we might be able to meet Charlotte, our pilot.  Since it was late in the flight we would have to wait for the book to be signed until after we landed. 

As we exited the plane, we saw the book waiting for us by the door.  When we asked if we could meet Charlotte, the flight attendant happily went to get her.  Charlotte had never heard of your program, but was glad to hear it existed.  She also took some time to talk to Anna and take a picture. Hopefully, we'll see Charlotte on another one of our overseas flights.

Yeah, stories like this mean Girls With Wings isn't going anywhere! Thank you all for your patronage of the Girls With Wings Pilot Shop and we hope to see you again there soon.

Sincerely,

Lynda Meeks, President

The Girls With Wings Pilot Shop

Very Important Pilots, LLC

www.shop.VeryImportantPilots.com

Pay it forward when you "Fly it Forward"

Remember Benjamin Franklin? He of the Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise?

Much of what is attributed to him are quick witticisms, which may or may not be a result of his messing with keys, lightning and kites. But he also promoted some deep philosophies and is credited with the first use of the "Pay it forward" idea:

I do not pretend to give such a Sum; I only lend it to you. When you meet with another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall meet with another opportunity. I hope it may thus go thro' many hands, before it meets with a Knave that will stop its Progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money.

Sure, if you borrow money you should pay it back. And when it's paid back two people are satisfied at the very least. But if someone was to make someone feel better by giving him/her a loan, but then THAT person made someone else feel better by passing on that loan, the happiness factor increased 33%. That's a nice return on investment.

[Math whizzes and statisticians need not comment.]

According to WikiAnswers, "In the modern vernacular the phrase has been adopted to mean, "don't worry about it, just go on and be a good influence with your life, or whatever." But the source of this phrase has a foundation that was popularized as part of the new millennium." Pay it Forward is well known as the title of a movie released in 2000 about a boy given a school assignment that requires him to find some way to change the world.

As a philosophy, Wisegeek says, "Paying it forward is a third-party beneficiary concept that involves doing something good for someone in response to a good deed done on your behalf or a gift you received. However, when you pay it forward, you don't repay the person who did something nice for you. Instead, you do something nice for someone else." And by doing so, at least for that one person, changed his or her world.

But what about Miss Janet (Jackson), she of the "What have you done for me lately?" Jonathon Lockwood Huie pens on his blog:

We have reason to have infinite gratitude to the Universe for everything we have and everything we are, yet we cannot repay the Universe. We have gratitude for our distant ancestors, yet cannot repay them. We have gratitude to our parents for our very life, and to our parents or other caregivers for our nurture, yet we cannot repay them in kind. We may have many other gratitudes that, for one reason or another, cannot be repaid to those who were so generous to us.

I know of an opportunity for you to do "a deal of good." By not paying it forward (though heaven knows nonprofits like GWW need all the coin it can get) but by thanking those who have contributed to all that we aviation enthusiasts enjoy by FLYING it Forward. That's right. There is an event that is its third year called "Fly it Forward," a key contributor in the annual Women of Aviation Worldwide Week, which, since its inception in March 2010, has enabled "more than 5,000 girls and women to discover the joys of flight in small aircraft in 36 countries and on 4 continents."


The initiative has doubled in size each year since 2010.

Doubled. In. Size. In two years! So, this, their third year, could potentially see 10,000 girls and women in 72 countries on 8 continents... ok, so there are only 7 continents, but there are 196 countries (or 195, depending on your reference).

This will not happen unless more volunteers participate in the effort, though. So here is your chance to Fly it Forward. Victoria Zajko, team leader for U.S. events, said her goal is to have at least one event in each of the 50 states. She sent me the following message to send on to you, dear reader, who believes, deep down, that you believe in giving back to the aviation community, nay, the universe, and the importance of focusing attention on the lack of female involvement in the air and space industry.

I wish to personally invite you to partake in the 2013 week. As the US Team Leader I am here to help promote and support you every step of the way.  We've made it much easier on the event organizers this year with the event organizer handbook.  You can request one here.  The event organizer handbook is full of great ideas as well as guidelines to create an inspirational flying event.  I hope that you will consider joining us for WOAW 2013!  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Together, I hope we can introduce many new girls and women to an industry I know we are both very passionate about!
 
It is wonderful to know that there are nonprofits that can work together towards their goals, and WOAW and GWW agree that our missions are synergistic - that by working together we can increase the effectiveness of our organizations. In fact, last year, Girls With Wings had a presence at the Fly it Forward event in Frederick, MD, with GWW Board Member Keith Jones and family running the booth. Victoria is in the white jacket and on the right were both Jane Law Wicker, a Wing Walker, and Sarah Fraher, of Flying Wild Alaska on the Discovery Channel.

So you can either organize an event in your area with the following guidance offered:

The format of events is entirely up to the organizer and not supervised by iWOAW. However, whether or not they include discovery flights, events organized within the spirit of the celebration of Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week must include the following key elements:

• Women-centric attractions and activities designed to not only make girls and women feel welcomed but also uniquely valued and special.
• Female public as a majority.
• Original and media worthy elements.
• Events that include discovery flights must make safety the number one priority.
• Event reports must be received by March 17, 2013, midnight, to qualify the participants to titles and prizes.

Outside of these basic guidelines, let your imagination soar, knowing that prizes are offered in this *friendly* competition: most female friendly airport, most girls/women flown, so on.

Or you can participate in an existing event by A. using your airplane, helicopter, etc.,  to take these girls and women to new heights! and/or B. letting attendees know about Girls With Wings, so we can encourage the young girls to continue their interest in aviation, like Christa and Pamela have done (Christa's son was a bonus!). It's not hard - I'll send you brochures and other helpful materials and you can assist in encouraging these girls to grow up and GROW the percentage of women in aviation. The important thing is that you do SOMETHING, ANYTHING, to Fly it Forward. These things do not happen, are not successful, unless people like you participate.

Interested volunteers can also be sent a limited supply of Girls With Wings Pilot Shop merchandise so that attendees of the event can purchase a momento of their experience and help to raise funds for Girls With Wings.

Now. Please email me if you'd like to help promote Girls With Wings AND get in touch with Victoria to let her know how you will contribute to this worthy cause. March 4-10, 2013. Mark your calendar.

Here's a compilation of last year's event. If you're like me, and these images showing the excitement on everyone's faces don't inspire you to get involved, nothing will.

Meagan's Final "Private Pilot" GWW Scholarship Essay

I give to you the third and final essay from Meagan, the recipient of our 2012 Summer Private Pilot Scholarship. 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.

We will announce the details of our 2013 Scholarship program next January. We are ALWAYS in need of donations to continue these scholarships. Please click on our PayPal link to submit your donation (any amount is appreciated!). 

And now, may we present Meagan's Essay:

Hi Lynda and Girls with Wings,

I haven't flown much in October, however, one of my CFI's is getting his CFII, therefore, I've been tagging along with him and the chief flight instructor, in the back of the 172, on their training flights. I've learned so much from being an observer! I've witnessed him fly holding patterns over Oceanside VOR and approaches into KCRQ. The exposure to watching him use the dual VOR's, and the GPS in the airplane, only add to my experience and knowledge. It's nice to sit back and be an observer every once in a while because you can focus on the process, instead of having to fly the airplane at the same time. Plus, the views are priceless :)

October was a slow month in my personal flight training. I spent the month of October looking for another job, so that I can have money to pay for my IFR training. I had an interview with one company, worked on my resume for a few other companies, and finally, my patience and persistence paid off. An opportunity presented itself at one of the businesses I already work for. I obtained a position as outside sales manager and began my first day on the job on October 28th. Now, I'm definitely going to be able to fly in the month of November!

The Girls with Wings scholarship has helped me tremendously! It allowed me to complete my Private Pilot Certificate and pay for my checkride, which allowed me to spend more of my money toward my Instrument Rating. I feel so blessed and relieved to have received the GWW scholarship!

I fully intend to work as a role model and volunteer for Girls with Wings. I have an arrangement with my flight school, Pinnacle Aviation Academy, on November 7th. My best friend, Margaret Malek, is a 5th grade teacher in Oceanside, Ca. Every school year she creates a girls empowerment club and this year there are about 30 girls in her club. We've created a field trip for the girls to visit my flight academy and take a tour of the hangar, flight school, and flight line. I'm going to show them the Cessna 152's, 172's, and allow them to sit in the cockpits. The Pinnacle Aviation Academy staff and I are going to talk to the girls about the instruments and what it's like to fly. Also, the general manager is donating simulator time in the G1000!!! We are going to give each girl a chance to fly the simulator and give them a feel for the yoke and rudder controls. I'm sooo excited about this trip for the girls! We are going to have soo much fun! I don't think these girls have ever been to an airport, been on an airplane, or even know what it's like to fly. I'm very excited to share the world of flying with them. Stay tuned for pictures from our adventure!

 Also, Margaret purchased a copy of Penelope Pilot! She will keep it in her class room to share with all her girls in the years to come. 

Overall, I'm very excited about this coming week and continuing my IFR training throughout the end of the year! I already know 2013 is going to be another great year full of accomplishments and additional ratings :) 

Thank you so much, Girls with Wings, for believing in me and helping me to achieve my dreams! 

Sincerely, 
Meagan Gearin 

Meagan, congratulations on your success receiving your private pilot certification and starting on your instrument training. It's certainly not an easy road to success but you've been doing great! We wish you the very best making your "Dreams Take Flight" and hope to continue to hear from you in the future.

Best,
Lynda Meeks, Founder and Executive Director, Girls With Wings, Inc.,
and the entire volunteer staff. 

Alyssa Mae's Final "Dreams Take Flight" GWW Scholarship Essay

I give to you the third and final essay from Alyssa Mae, the recipient of our 2012 Summer Dreams Take Flight Scholarship. 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.

We will announce the details of our 2013 Scholarship program next January. We are ALWAYS in need of donations to continue these scholarships. Please click on our PayPal link to submit your donation (any amount is appreciated!). 

And now, may we present Alyssa Mae's Essay:

Hello!


As this is my final essay, I would just like to say what a huge impact this scholarship has made on my pathway to earning my pilot's license. The support from GWW has inspired me to get moving on the things I have always dreamed of doing. This scholarship has pushed me to obtain my medical, find a flight school, pursue my flight training. Who could ask for anything more? I really hope I am able to continue on from this amazing start.

October started off a bit rocky in terms of aviation, but it has culminated wonderfully! In my last essay, I had left off where I was going to meet a flight instructor at a flight school. It went great! My family, Mr. Soco, and I met with the director who gave me some good advice and then he introduced me to one of their instructors, Tim. We went to look at their fleet of planes, the ground school classroom, and toured around a bit. Everyone there at Premier Flight school is extremely nice and knowledgeable. I felt like they truly cared about their students and made sure they had only the best to offer them! I liked it there so much, that I booked a flying lesson right away!

Premier Flight School had so many planes to choose from! I decided to try out the Flight Design CTLS because (a) it was the cheapest plane to fly and (b) it is very similar to the SkyCatcher that I flew this summer! According to my mother, "It's so adorable!" I agree. It looks tiny from the outside but is actually quite roomy on the inside! The CTLS is a really neat little plane. It’s an LSA. Some features are that it has dual glass cockpit screens, electric flaps, a window on the top, a parachute, and even seat inflation to make your behind comfortable! (However I still need a cushion to see...)

On October 26, I went for my first flying lesson in the CTLS at Brainard Airport, with my instructor Tim. Tim is a fantastic instructor! Before I even set foot into the plane, he really educated me about every aspect of it- from the brake pads to the BRS parachute! He's very patient and it doesn't seem to bother him when I ask my 800 questions either. ;) At my second flying lesson we began by taking the cowling off of the engine to see how it works and what’s inside. I had no idea what anything was at first, but now I bet I can name some of it - from the battery to the liquid cooling system! After that we went flying, and it was my first time flying at night! The lights from the city and the airport were such a spectacular sight. I knew flight training would be fun, but the training I’ve had so far has exceeded my expectations! I’ve had a blast flying in the CTLS! I love all of the massive windows and especially the electric flaps as my right arm is not the strongest.

It's a bit of an adjustment from flying the SkyCatcher but not as far of a stretch as it would have been to train in a Piper (aka the DaVinci code)! For example, in the CTLS, the stall warning is not a horn; it’s a buzzer in your headset. It just sounds like radio static! Another interesting aspect is that when you check the oil, you have to turn the propeller until you “hear the toilet flush”, which is actually the oil going through! The flaps are also huge on the CTLS and it’s a little more sensitive than the SkyCatcher. I really like that CTLS though and I am eager to learn more about it. I think LSA are some of the most fun planes to fly in, and my quote about flying LSA is that I feel like I am one with the air, rather than one with the plane!

In total I have had 3 flying lessons so far (excluding my time in OSH). I had 1 intro flight and 2 lessons. Mainly, it has been getting used to the new plane and a review of maneuvers I haven't done since the summer. I think I've gotten much better at talking on the radio and taxiing which were two of the hardest things for me! So far in the CTLS, we've done steep turns, slow flight, and my favorite - stalls! I'm really looking forward to flying again! At the moment, I've been applying for jobs as well as keeping small side jobs, to continue to pay for my training.

And on another note, I continue to share my passion for flying each day. I’ve connected with other women pilots or girls who want to become pilots. It’s nice to know the population of them seems to be growing! I hope that one day I will be able to inspire other kids as people have inspired me to pursue my dreams in aviation. Instead of me getting a Young Eagles flight, I would love to give them! The most I can do right now to help others is talk with them and give them resources, so that's what I plan to do! I love connecting with people on my Twitter, my Facebook, or even my blog in progress. I am really motivated to help others as I see how much GWW and other people have helped me.

“Hold fast to your dreams, for without them life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.” -Langston Hughes

This scholarship has been such a tremendous blessing. It has truly pushed me forward to begin flight training and has made me one step closer toward achieving my dreams. It's such a great honor to have been chosen, and I thank GWW and all of the people with big hearts who supported this scholarship. I would also like to thank my parents, Mr. Soco, Chuck and Eileen for always supporting me. It's amazing what people will do to help someone achieve their life long goals, and it is only right that I continue their efforts by helping others. I definitely plan to continue flying as long as I live! Thanks again to everyone who supported me, blue skies!

PS I made a video.
 

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEl0T-yiw-U

Alyssa Mae, you've come a long way in a short time. We know you're busy and have had some difficult logistical challenges - but you persevered!  We wish you the very best making your "Dreams Take Flight" and hope to continue to hear from you in the future.

Best,
Lynda Meeks, Founder and Executive Director, Girls With Wings, Inc.,
and the entire volunteer staff.

Alyssa Mae's Second Essay For the Dreams Take Flight scholarship!

I give to you the second essay from Alyssa Mae, the recipient of our 2012 Summer Dreams Take Flight Scholarship. 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 scholarship winners.

And now, may we present Alyssa Mae's Essay:

Greetings! September has been quite an interesting month for me in terms of aviation. Looking back just a couple months, I would have never thought I would be this far in starting flying lessons. I hadn’t actually planned to do so until I was closer to 17 (about 8 months from now). This scholarship has truly gave me a push, and helped me to begin my flying endeavors. 

As noted in my blog post, I scheduled my medical exam for September 21st. Good news – I passed! I obtained a Class III certificate. I now safely keep my little paper in a pocket near my logbook. I have also gathered all of my books together for studying the ground school portion. I'm still working on my Sporty's course, just started reading the FAA Flying handbook, and have been working on the ASA Test Prep book. AOPA's "Flight Training" magazine is quite useful as well! 

Also noted in my last blog post, I had scheduled to have an Intro Flight with an instructor at a local airport. Well little did I expect, what a process it would be trying to find a flight school with decent rates, a decent plane, a decent location, decent hours, and a decent instructor. (I am not a picky person by any means!) I tried one flight school, and it did not mix with me well. Some of the factors it presented did not fit with what I needed or was looking for. So then I went to another flight school, at a different airport. Again, there were obstacles there as well. Each time I went to a flight school, I was thinking “This will be the one!” but it turns out it always had something that wasn’t right for me. 

Another obstacle I came across was the issue of switching from learning in a tiny Cessna 162 SkyCatcher (an LSA) to possibly something totally different, and more complex – like a Piper Warrior or Archer! (Maybe those are basic planes to you – but they are like the DaVinci code to me.) A couple weeks ago was the first time I had been in a Piper at all, and I was like “Whoa!” It would require a lot harder work for me I think, but I would definitely be willing to do it. 

So instead of being discouraged by these dilemmas – what keeps me going is that I know I have this scholarship to work for! This scholarship reminds me that some people must have had faith in me, and that I should not give up. So I won’t! My mentor Mr. Socolosky has helped me tremendously. He recommended a flight school, which then recommended a flight instructor to me. And now, I am going to meet with them in approximately two days. This flight school not only has Cessnas but also LSA’s for training as well! I truly hope this one works out because I would like to (a) be able to use this scholarship and (b) not throw away the 9 hours of flight time I received this summer! 

"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” - Henry Ford 

Even though I may have encountered some bumps in finding a place for flight training – I encounter no bumps when getting others interested in aviation! Since I truly love it so much, I find it easy to talk about and I find it easy to pass my excitement onto others. So that is what I do! Recently, I went to a Young Eagles day to talk to some kids about aviation. There, I not only recruited a future Air Academy camper; but I received an invitation to speak at an all girls’ school to get some of them interested in flying! I can not wait to work with them. I also heard that some people at my school are interested in flying for the military, and I have sought them out to talk as well! I even continue to encourage some of the campers I worked with at Air Academy. I talk to a lot of them on Facebook about flying and such. Most people I meet think flying is a pretty neat passion to have, and if anyone I know would like more information; I’m happy to help! 

I always tell prospective aviators (or aviatrixes) to follow me on social media websites to get in touch with me. I keep an aviation related Facebook “AlyssaMaeAviatrix”, an aviation Twitter @AMAviatrix, and a blog in progress AlyssaMaeAviatrix.Wordpress.com. I truly enjoy connecting with people and I have a small background of marketing. At my school, I’m working on a little project to get more women (or maybe even anyone in general) interested in aviation. This project is in its initial stages and needs much development – but I hope to make it work someday. 

I have many goals in life, of reaching success, of flying, and who knows what else. But I would really love to be able to make a difference in a future pilot’s life. I would like to make other people’s dreams come true, just as so many kind people (like GWW!) have done for me! Thanks again for supporting me! Blue skies!

Brand New Pilot Meagan's Second Scholarship Essay!

I give to you the second essay from Meagan, the recipient of our 2012 Summer Private Pilot Scholarship. 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 scholarship winners. And now, may we present Meagan's Essay:

 

Hi Lynda and Girls With Wings! 

AST 300

September was definitely a productive month of flight training! Now, that I'm a Private Pilot, I'm working towards my Instrument Rating and I'm having a blast doing it! I did all of my Private Pilot training in a Cessna 152. For my Instrument Rating, I'm training in the Cessna 172 and the AST 300 flight simulator. Flying in the flight simulator is a ton of fun! I remember when I was training for my PPL and would see other students flying in the simulator. I knew they were instrument students because they are the only ones that ever utilized the simulator, in order to improve their instrument scanning skills. I envied them and couldn't wait to be in their shoes! It's surreal to know that I'm now one of THEM. It feels so good to be progressing with my training and moving forward with taking the necessary steps in order to achieve my dream! 

On September 25th, I passed my first instrument stage check, with the chief flight instructor, at my flight academy. It was the best stage check I've had to date because it's the best I've ever performed on a stage check. He said "fly heading two one zero, descend and maintain four thousand five hundred, while maintaining 90 knots indicated airspeed." I was so focused and on target, therefore, those needles didn't move at all and were perfectly on line. It was so much fun to do well and passing the stage check gave me more confidence in moving forward with the next phase in my instrument training. Now, I will learn to fly instrument approaches, DME (Distant Measuring Equipment) arcs, and instrument departure procedures.

On September 28th, I received my Private Pilots License in the mail! It was soo exciting to finally receive it. Seeing it put a big grin on my face :) I still find it hard to believe that I've actually obtained it and there's something so reassuring and comforting to know that I'll have it forever. 

Now, that September has passed, I'm excited to see what October has in store for me. I'm currently looking for a third job, so that I may have money to pay for my flight training. Until then, I'll just keep studying and working as hard as I can. 

I'm so thankful to have the support of the Girls With Wings Organization. My goal, for October, is to share the objectives and goals of the Girls With Wings Organization with young girls in my local community. Stay tuned for more updates! 

"They used to tell me the sky's the limit, now the sky's my point of view."- Justin Bieber ;) 

- Meagan

Giving and Receiving Thanks

Being the founder of Girls With Wings has been the single greatest, most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life.  Becoming a pilot has dropped to close second, but I couldn't do GWW without having done so. I took advantage of a deficiency - so few women in such a male dominated field - and turned it into an opportunity to inspire girls to have an interest in aviation. There's hardly any way to know if I've been successful over the last ten years or so (mainly because it's a little sensitive tracking minors). I'm hoping that they'll choose to contact me years from now if I was able to impact their lives in any form - aviation achievements or otherwise.

A supplemental mission became encouraging the older girls to finish up their pilot certificates, and thanks to many generous donations, we've been able to provide ELEVEN scholarships at $9000. However, the percentage of women pilots is still just a measly 6% overall. And though I have met a multitude of almost pilots who are now full blown pilots, they probably would have done it without me and my efforts through Girls With Wings. It is great, therefore, to receive such an enthusiastic thank you as I did from Natalie, one of our Spring 2012 Scholarship Winners who successfully received a Private Pilot License because of funds awarded by GWW and provided by the Antelope Valley Chapter of the 99s.


Dear Lynda,

Girls With Wings is an incredible organization. Thank you so much to you and the (Antelope Valley Chapter) 99s. I am honored that you believe in my aviation dream. This scholarship gave me the extra boost, determination, and encouragement to finish my Private Pilot License by the summer. I feel so fortunate and blessed for this incredible honor. It made an enormous impact on my life! Thank you for the support and advice, I truly appreciate it.

Looking forward to the next aviation goals: Ground Instructor and IFR (Instrument Rating). Now, I am working out the game plan to accomplish these ratings. Never enough hours in a day, I just love to fly! Three years ago I never thought this could become a reality. Yet, my dream was meant to come true. I am thankful to Girls With Wings and the (Antelope Valley Chapter) 99s for this encouragement to go after your aviation dream! 

Thank you for inspiring the future aviators of tomorrow! You are amazing! The time, effort and traveling as a pilot to motivational speaker is inspirational. You are sharing a passion that many do not realize is possible to learn to fly especially girls. Best wishes an may all your dreams for Girls With Wings come true!

Thank you and Happy Flying,
Natalie

p.s. We need to fly soon!

Thank YOU, Natalie, for letting me know what Girls With Wings has meant to you.

Meagan's First Scholarship Essay!

I give to you the first essay from Meagan, the recipient of our 2012 Summer Private Pilot Scholarship. 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 scholarship winners. And now, may we present Meagan:

As Lynda mentioned, in the announcement of the Private Pilot Flight Training Scholarship, I successfully passed my checkride on July 21st, 2012.  It was the best day of my life!!!  I had never worked so hard for something that I truly wanted.  During my checkride, I was nervous, scared, and confident, all at the same time!  Everything that I had been working toward came down to this one deciding moment.  I cried when the examiner told me I passed my checkride.  Passing meant the world to me! My tears were tears of joy, excitement, relief, and a huge sense of accomplishment!  My flight instructor later told me that I was the most prepared person he had ever seen take a checkride.  Meanwhile, all I could think about was how it could have gone better and how I could have known more!  That's one of the things I love so much about flying.  When you obtain a private pilots certificate, you are obtaining a life long license to learn!  I learn something new every time I fly.  That's why I encourage everyone to fly as much and as often as they can!  The experience gained is priceless.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said:

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face.You must do the thing you think you cannot do."


There were many times, in my flight training, when I felt fear and my self-confidence was low. I think my biggest fear was fear of failure, but just like Amelia said "fears are paper tigers."  Fears are only as real as you make them! Every time I faced my fears, put myself out there, and kept moving forward, I became a stronger person!   Learning how to fly will change you.  I challenge you to face your fears!

Watch me face one of my fears in my first solo video!  My first solo was on April 25, 2012.  I hope my video inspires girls to want to complete their first solo flight.



Now, that I'm a Private Pilot, I get to take my friends and family flying! I'm going to fly my best friend to Catalina Island for her birthday this month :) Flying is so much fun, especially when you are the pilot in command! You can explore new horizons and go places you've never gone before! Being a girl is way fun, but being a girl who flys is way funner!!!

Happy flying, everyone!  Go out and be the next girl to pursue her dream and earn her wings!

~Meagan Gearin