Submitted by Westwind Aviation

This is a follow-up on pilot ground school class sponsored by COVE, a program of Safe San Juan’s. (Read more in the Dec. 14 edition of the Journal.)

The program’s participants had a great first evening. There were six local students and two local graduates who will be attending the eight classes. The students will learn about the different disciplines required of flying. Aerodynamics, meteorology, federal flight rules, airport operations, weight and balance, and others.

The class was the result of Kathleen Bartholomew’s idea to provide high school students an opportunity to learn about aviation. Bartholomew helped raise money from local merchants to fund students to attend this class.

The first night included an introduction of instructors Dan DeShon, Dan Schwartz and Mari Peterson (present via Skype from Alaska); an overview of the course; and introduction to aerodynamics (why and how an airplane flies); and aviation history.

For any anyone interested in aviation as a career, there is a growing shortage of pilots in the U.S.

Thanks to the donors for the program who provided the scholarships; Westwind Aviation who is providing an introductory flight lesson to every person who completes the class; and to Ernie’s Cafe (Patrick and Christine) for donating their premises for the evening classes.

Scholarship donors are Aeronautical Services, Mark and Dawn Alger, Kathleen Bartholomew and John Nance, Monica Van Appel-Percich and Jacoba Porter from Windermere, Westwind Aviation, and Robert W. Brunkow.