Flight Training - July 2015 - 29

Take a kid
flying
By Ian J. Twombly

VISIT SOMEWHERE YOU'VE
ALWAYS WANTED TO GO
Is it the mountains? The beach? A secluded cabin in the woods? The
airport restaurant three states away? Even if you simply tack up a map of
the United States and toss a dart, piloting an airplane to that location is
some of the most enjoyable, satisfying flying you will ever accomplish.
Planning a flight-really looking at charts, taking into account terrain,
airspace, airports, and TFRs-is a good way to keep your cross-country
skills sharp. The fact that you're doing it for yourself, and not your flight
instructor, is the cherry on the sundae.
When traveling by GA airplane, the destination can be a jumping-off
point. Rather than planning a point-to-point trip that follows a straight
magenta line, consider a meandering route that takes you to hometown
GA airports. You'll meet other pilots, airport employees, and folks who
love airplanes. In other words, people who make up the aviation community-your community.

Of all the ways to stay
engaged in aviation, none
is more fulfilling or longlasting than introducing
children to the activity. Kids
have an appreciation for
the wonders of flight that
most jaded adults have long
since forgotten. So not only
is it fun for you as the pilot
to witness the experience through their eyes, your time and
energy will be making the biggest impact possible.
Many studies have shown that a significant number of
adults who learn to fly were first exposed to aviation as a
kid, whether through a movie, a book, or directly through an
airport or a flight. Flying a kid will help cultivate aviation's
future, provide inspiration, and give you a great reason to defy
gravity for a few hours.
The easiest way to give back and fly kids is with EAA's
Young Eagles or a similar youth movement. Often these groups
take care of promotion, liability concerns, and ongoing support
for the participant after the flight. You can learn more about
Young Eagles online (www.youngeagles.com).
Or go it alone. Maybe your family friend or a co-worker has
kids who have shown an interest in flying. Maybe there's a
certain kid who happens to hang out at the FBO. Offering one
of these kids a ride directly will guarantee a once-in-a-lifetime
experience. Make sure to connect with the child's parents
for permission, and encourage them to either come along or
watch from the ground.
From 99 Ways to Fly, an eBook by AOPA writers and editors (www.aopa.org/
ebooks). Ian J. Twombly is a commercial pilot and father of two.

VISIT EVERY AIRPORT IN A STATE
Visiting every airport in a state is easier to do in some states than others. The smallest state, Rhode Island, is only
1,212 square miles and includes 24 airports. The biggest state, Alaska, is 663,300 square miles and boasts more than
600. But in many states, flying into every public-use airport is an achievable goal. Many state aviation authorities
have programs that encourage pilots to fly to every airport.
For example, the South Carolina Aviation Association has the Ambassadors Passport program, which offers
rewards at the bronze, silver, and gold level for visiting the state's 59 airports. Other states with similar programs
include Arkansas, California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia.

"THE THRILL OF TAKING OFF, EXPLORING, MEETING NEW PEOPLE-AND
WHEN YOU GET ABOVE THE CLOUDS AND THE SUN JUST SITS THERE,
MAKING AN AMAZING VIEW."
-BROOKEY12345

JULY 2015 FLIGHT TRAINING

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