CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 4 - 11

ASI mESSAGE
but notice that you don't have any arms (dramatic pause). And well...you're
probably not aware, but you need arms to fly. How about you become a great
companion pilot, though, how about that? Think back to when you learned to
fly-in a Cessna 152/172, or maybe a Piper Cherokee, or a Van's RV-12-and
remember how overwhelmed you were. Now just imagine conquering all of
that, including radio calls, with only your feet. Just to even think you could
do such a thing is next-level imagination and determination. I wonder how
many times she was told no, and I wonder, too, about the instructor who
saw the vision with her, who said, " Yeah...maybe we can do this. " There's a
quiet aviation hero! Knowing how difficult it was for me presolo in a Cessna
152, I can imagine Cox had many flights where she thought maybe this is too
hard, maybe everyone was right. But they weren't. She persevered, she and
her instructor got creative, and they broke a barrier. It turns out, what's so
plainly obvious is in fact not. You don't need arms to be a pilot.
The three of us shared an emotional and inspiring morning with Able
Flight's 2022 graduates, all with a moving story that included some combat
veterans who were disabled while serving our country. In the wings of
the stage-literally in the shadows-was the orchestrator of it all, Charles
Stites, proud and smiling. He guides Able Flight and gathers supporters
with a humble, persistent drive. I had the privilege of introducing Zack
Reising. Reising isn't an Able Flight scholarship recipient. Not that he
wouldn't qualify. Cerebral palsy affects his mobility, so he uses a walker or
scooter. Upon learning of Able Flight, Reising was so moved by the mission
and what it could mean for others with disabilities that he started his own
online fundraising drive, which now supports five Able Flight scholarships.
The irony is, by doing so, Reising eliminated his own ability to ever receive
Able Flight's help because of conflict-of-interest laws that govern nonprofits.
To fully understand that sacrifice, you have to realize that Reising has
been " lit " by airplanes and becoming a pilot for as long as he and his parents
can remember. How do you introduce someone so giving? Someone who
comprehends the dream of flight so deeply? Some people live their dreams.
Fly safe!
Richard G. McSpadden, Jr.
Senior Vice President, AOPA Air Safety Institute
Richard McSpadden is a commercial pilot, CFII, MEI with SES and MES
ratings and a 525(S) type rating. He's flown more than 5,500 hours over
30 years in a variety of civilian and military aircraft. He is a former F-15
pilot and Thunderbirds leader for the U.S. Air Force, and he has extensive
experience in aviation safety, including ground, flight, and special event
operations.
Email: richard.mcspadden@aopa.org
Educating pilots on improving their skills and
enhancing GA safety is a core tenet of AOPA's Air
Safety Institute and its educational programs.
Your contribution funds these activities and
ensures we continue to address the needs of
pilots everywhere. Show your support with a
donation today. aopafoundation.org/donate
http://www.aopafoundation.org/donate
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 4

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 13 Issue 4
