Announcing the LadiesLoveTaildraggers 2017 Scholarship Winners!

Apr 2017 Announcing the LadiesLoveTaildraggers 2017 Scholarship Winners!

It’s been a long time in the making.
SIX tailwheel scholarships, all made possible by you.
You know who you are so thank you from me,
and thank you from these very happy ladies!

Scholarship #1 Billy Werth/IndyJet’s Tailwheel Endorsement & Unusual Attitude Training Scholarship

Remington Viney, winner of Billy Werth & IndyJet’s Tailwheel Endorsement & Unusual Attitude Scholarship

Winner:  Remington Viney from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Present Employment:  College student. I have been serving in the Wisconsin Air National Guard as an F-16 aircraft maintainer (Crew Chief) since December 2013.
Private pilot for 4 years, passed Instrument and Commercial written tests

• I believe my military experience sets me apart from all other applicants. I sought out the Air National Guard because of my interest in all kinds of aviation. My dream is to fly F-16’s at my Guard base in Madison, WI which would make me the first female fighter pilot for the Wisconsin Air National Guard. Ideally, I would fly for the guard part-time and still pursue my goal of flying for an airline. While I would love to fly for the military it wouldn’t happen until I graduate college, at the earliest. So for now, I will continue to involve myself in all things flying-related.
• My successful emergency landing is an experience that most pilots do not have, especially low-time pilots like myself. After having my private pilot’s license for just over 6 months I decided to fly my mother, grandmother, and grandfather on a day trip across the state. The first leg went smoothly but on the return trip a screw holding the fuel selector switch in the Piper Archer that I was flying became loose. While flying at 3,000 feet AGL I was unable to access the other tank of fuel. With no airports in the vicinity I chose to land in a cornfield. Thankfully there was no damage to the aircraft or anyone on board. The screw that was used ended up being the wrong size and so the FAA ruled the incident a mechanic failure. This situation is in the back of my mind every time I climb into an aircraft. From this experience I have grown tremendously as a pilot. Now I’m much more prepared for the unexpected, but also am ready to take on new challenges after proving to myself that I have the ability to be a safe and smart pilot.

#2 LadiesLoveTaildraggers’ Tailwheel Endorsement Scholarship, Winner’s Choice Location

Lt Col Kristen Snow, LadiesLoveTaildraggers Tailwheel Endorsement Winner. Photo, GA News

Winner:  Lt Col Kristen Snow from Clinton, CT
Occupation:  Connecticut Air National Guard- Commander, 103rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, C-130 pilot 2008-present.
Ratings: PPL, Single Engine, Multi Engine Land, Instrument, Commercial, Airline Transport Pilot

• During ROTC in college, I did very well at Field Training (like boot camp) and was awarded an incentive flight in a T-38 aircraft. I had never thought about flying until that flight. It was amazing! I actually thought to myself…You can actually get paid to do this for a living????? I returned to school that fall, worked jobs in addition to my full time course work and ROTC duties as well as took out loans to pursue my PPL. I didn’t have a car and would bum rides, take a bus that would take hours with transfers or sometimes borrow a car to get to Boeing Field in downtown Seattle. I absolutely loved the views and vantage point of being in the sky looking out down below as well as the feeling you get being airborne.
• I flew for the Air Force for 8 years on active duty but decided I wanted to be at home with my children, so stopped flying. Being on one income didn’t allow me any extra funds for anything other than the necessities so there were no funds to pursue flying GA when I stopped flying for the Air Force. I joined the Air National Guard in 2008 in hopes of flying again, but was not hired into a pilot position but did find a new career which was very enjoyable. Two years ago I was offered the chance to become recurrent in the C-130. I was flooded with emotion as I truly thought my time as a pilot was in the past and since I’d been out of the cockpit for 10 years, I wouldn’t be able to hack it returning to the air. I was amazed at how quickly I remembered everything- truly like riding a bike…you never forget! I regained all the joy I had from flying as well and felt like I got my groove back! In the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to fly a DA-42 and a BE-74 and have really had a spark reignited in me to start flying GA again. The feeling between a light aircraft and a heavy is so different- I absolutely love the feel and simplicity of the smaller aircraft…and getting back to the roots of flying. Which is what brings me to getting a tailwheel endorsement…when you talk fun and flying tailwheels is what always comes to mind! At a recent fly-in, I was perusing a local J-3 and got butterflies in my stomach thinking about how fun it would be to fly such a classic and simple stick and rudder plane. I would absolutely be beyond thrilled to get my Tailwheel Endorsement- being a working mom of 3 boys (7, 9, 11), a volunteer in the community and chauffeur to the boys after school activities truly leaves no room for any ‘me’ time. What an amazing and spirit boosting activity (and what a great testament to other moms that have hung their wings up for awhile) to get back into GA flying and increase my innate piloting skills by getting the Tailwheel Endorsement.

#3 The International Stinson Club Tailwheel Endorsement Scholarship, Winner’s Choice Location

Amy Dahlheimer, Intl. Stinson Club Tailwheel Endorsement Scholarship Winner

Winner:  Amy Dahlheimer from Howard Lake, MN
Occupation: Exec 1 Aviation, Flight Instructor/ Executive Assistant
Ratings: Commercial Pilot- ASEL and AMEL, Instrument, Flight Instructor- ASEL and AMEL, Flight Instructor Instrument airplane

• I am a recent college graduate from Minnesota State University, Mankato. When I was 15 years old, my father passed away. He was the provider for our household and we became burdened financially after his passing. I learned to work hard early on in order to better my life. I knew that the only way I would get through school would be by hard work. At times during college I worked two jobs along with being a part-time nanny. I saved and bought my own car in order to get to work. I also paid for all of my own living expenses. I took out loans to pay for my flying career, which now has me strapped financially. However, I have begun working as a full-time flight instructor and I know that the financial difficulties and the hard work was all worth it the moment my first student took the controls and lit up.
• I told my parents when I was two years old that I wanted to learn how to fly. Flying has always been a lifelong dream of mine. I don’t know what started it, or how I got the idea in my mind because no one in my family was involved in aviation or flew. I was mentored by a female pilot after high school, and she encouraged me to go for it. So I did, and I am in love with my career and flying. I like the challenge, the view, and the aviation community. I believe there is no community as supportive and encouraging as the aviation community, and I am so happy to be a part of it.
• I am a very dedicated and hardworking person. I overcame many difficulties and I graduated Magna Cum Laude in 3.5 years. I believe in giving back to the aviation community. I was president of my university’s Women in Aviation chapter and volunteered with them. I worked as an Aviation Learning Community Mentor at my university and mentored incoming college freshmen as they went through their first year of school. I volunteered with the FAA sponsored MN Aviation Career Education Camp as a camp counselor. I love to mentor and encourage other aviators. I believe in personal growth and helping others to the best of my ability.

#4 South Oaks Aerodrome/Charles Lewis STOL Scholarship, North Carolina

Sarah Dickerson, South Oaks Aerodrome STOL Class Scholarship Winner

Winner: Sarah Dickerson from Kansas City, Missouri
Occupation:  Trans States Airlines, First Officer (Embraer 145) May 2016 – present
Ratings: Airline Transport Pilot – Multi Engine Land, Commercial Pilot – Single Engine Land, Certified Flight Instructor, Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument, EMB-145 Type, Private Pilot, Single-Engine Sea

• I wanted to fly the first time I rode on an airliner – which wasn’t until I was in 8th grade. Then I knew. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that dream until I was 28 years old, but I’ve not looked back since. They say that your life passions can truly be in your blood, and I am a firm believer. Though I was never around aviation as a youngster as my dad stopped flying around the time I was born, I am a 4th generation pilot, dating back to my great-grandfather, who flew DC-2s for TWA in the 1930s.
• I am hoping, in completing this workshop, that I’ll find a way to fly and be involved in the backcountry and STOL flying community. Many of my “bucket list” trips, vacations and fly-ins require use of a STOL-capable aircraft (and pilot!). I also feel it will continue to build my tailwheel skills such that over time, I can “pay it forward” and help other pilots become safe, competent tailwheel pilots. Finally, as previously mentioned, I’m hoping that this class will help me maximize the performance of my Cessna 120 into some of the shorter strips I fly into and out of.

#5 Tailwheel Endorsement Scholarship by Brian Lansburgh, Oregon

Claudia Childs, Brian Lansburgh’s Tailwheel Endorsement Scholarship Winner.  Photo Credit: Mark Mulville/Buffalo News

Winner:  Claudia Childs from Hamburg, New York
Occupation:  I am a retired Buffalo, NY police officer. I served for 25 years. Four years ago I started a small aviation business, Little Bird Airways. So I work for my business, but I do not (cannot) pay myself.
Ratings: Commercial and Instrument

• A year and a half ago, I obtained my flight instructor rating. I have been trying to get more people (especially women) involved in general aviation. Having the tailwheel endorsement would put me in the position of being able to offer tailwheel training, in addition to my other flight instruction. I have found that some people only want to fly tailwheels.
• I work very hard to promote aviation in western New York. I am currently teaching a private pilot ground school course. Having been an adjunct instructor at a local college, I realized the amount of work involved in putting together a 20-week course. Despite that workload, I proceed with the course because no one else does so locally. I currently have thirteen people enrolled, three of which are women. In addition to flight instruction, I give scenic tours, which sometimes generates an interest in taking flying lessons. I work with a local inspector A&P mechanic on my airplanes and log my time in hopes of obtaining my A&P license within the next few years. I also have a great relationship with the Rochester FSDO. Pretty much, everything I live and breathe these days has something to do with aviation.

#6 Stick & Rudder Master Class Scholarship by Brian Lansburgh, Oregon

Jamie Klaes, Brian Lansburgh’s Stick & Rudder Master Class Scholarship Winner

Winner: Jamie Klaes from Anchorage, AK
Occupation: Seasonal Tour Pilot at Fly Denali
Ratings: Commercial, Instrument, Multi Engine

• I come from a flying family, born and raised in the Arctic in a fly-in only village in Alaska. The only way out was in an airplane. My father taught us all how to fly as teenagers before he passed away of cancer. To make me laugh when I was a child he would dance on the rudder pedals while he played the nearest radio station loud over the headsets. The little village of Bettles was home for me most of my life, nestled in the foothills of the Brooks Range (northern most mountain range in North America), until recently. I call Anchorage my home in the winter and Denali my home in the summers.
• I am only working seasonally as a pilot now which means for 7 months out of the year I am unemployed. I am spending the money I made from the last flying season on finishing my CFI this winter. I will start work again in May. I hope that next year I can teach tailwheel endorsements after finishing my CFI, so that I can make money year round.
• Now I want to teach rural Alaskan kids how to fly, to share the gift. It is important because I want to continue learning and sharing. I want to hone my skills so that not only am I continually, increasingly, a better pilot for my passengers but I am a better teacher for student pilots. It takes a lifetime to master an airplane and even then, there’s more to learn.