The LadiesLoveTaildraggers / EAA Women Soar Society Scholarship Winners are …

Jun 2020 The LadiesLoveTaildraggers / EAA Women Soar Society Scholarship Winners are …

Thanks to a matching grant from the EAA Women Soar Society, I’m thrilled to announce our latest 2020 scholarship winners – SEVEN in total!

Introducing our SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:

Spin Training Scholarship winner Allison Hoyt

Scholarship #1, Allison Hoyt, A&P mechanic and Flight Attendant from Ft. Worth, Texas

Spin Training with Catherine Cavagnaro, Ace Aerobatic School, Sewanee, Tennessee

What made you want to be a pilot?

“(It began) at the age of 22, in a quiet corner of the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC. I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing with my life. I had recently quit pursuing an unsatisfying major and was overwhelmed by the possibilities in front of me, all of which lacked a certain spark I was certain my life’s work needed to have. An urge to travel had brought me to our nation’s capital, and the draw of the Smithsonian was so great it consumed two entire days of my trip. At the time, Patty Wagstaff’s gorgeous little Extra 260 was tucked away behind Amelia Earhart’s Vega in the upstairs pavilion, and the surrounding display featured a video of her 1991 National Championship routine. Halfway through watching the video, I realized I had tears streaming down my face. And that’s when I knew. I’d found my spark. Six months later, I had a pilot’s license, and twelve years on, that fire has not gone out.”

Spin Training Scholarship winner Amy Reiss

Scholarship #1A, Amy Reiss, Corporate pilot from Ranger, Texas

Spin Training with Catherine Cavagnaro, Ace Aerobatic School, Sewanee, Tennessee

What made you want to learn to fly?

“I have always been obsessed with the sky for as long as I can remember. When I was 8 years old, after a family trip to Orlando, my father had me meet the captain and the first officer of the flight and I got to view the cockpit for the first time. I was smitten. The captain gave me a pair of plastic wings and I wore them with pride. Ever since, I always wondered about the world above and for years had pondered what it would be like to fly. It wasn’t until I was 21, when I was working an office job, living a life I wasn’t going to be fulfilled in, I decided to learn how to fly and go back to school to get my Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautics. I walked into the local FBO not having ever been to a small GA airport, not knowing anything about airplanes, but having a passion for wanting to fly and the determination to get me there. On Jan 29th, 2017, I took my first lesson and I knew that I had found my calling as soon as the wheels left the ground.”

Catherine Cavagnaro’s spin course covers spin theory, efficient recovery and typical flight situations that lead to inadvertent spins. Recoveries by instruments, emergency spin recovery procedures and a twenty turn spin may be included. The course may serve as a spin sign-off for the aspiring flight instructor as required by 14 CFR 61.183.   The Cessna Aerobat provides a solid and safe trainer for spins.  Link: Ace Aerobatic School

Denali Mountain Flying Scholarship winner Britta Schroeder

Scholarship #2, Britta Schroeder, a Geographic Information Specialist (Cartographer), Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Denali Mounting Flying Experience with Rebecca Cozad, Talkeetna, Alaska

Why is this training important and how will it affect your future?

“My career goal is to become a photogrammetrist pilot, collecting aerial imagery for mapping projects for Denali National Park and Preserve. Currently, I serve just as the photogrammetrist on these flights, and many of our missions have us traversing highly trafficked, mountainous areas to the north and south of the Denali massif. The PA-18 I am borrowing for the summer will be parked at the McKinley Park airstrip (PAIN), which will require me to fly in similar conditions, even while simply doing laps around the pattern or off-airport landings further in the park. Because of both my work and personal flying goals, it is essential that I learn safe mountain flying techniques, as well as gain a greater understanding of aviation weather phenomena around Denali and learn the local call-off points.”

“Additionally, the publicly available map that indicates the call-off points for the areas around Denali is a joint collaboration between the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Park Service. Because the map is over a decade old, it is in need of updates, as as the park cartographer, I am tasked with these updates. By having first hand knowledge of the aviation traffic patterns, I can more easily identify necessary errors.” Link:  Denali National Park Aviation Information

CFI Rebecca Cozad is a former glacier pilot for several Talkeetna air taxis, a 28 year CFI, and current airline pilot.  This scholarship includes 2 plus hours ground instruction on the mountain operations, geography, geology, mountain flying considerations, and a 2.0 – 3.0 flight returning to Talkeetna. Covered are mountain flying techniques in general and specific to this giant mountain, as well as the procedures to be flown due to heavy tourism air taxis and glacier landings. Survival gear provided during this stunning flight.

Seaplane Rating Scholarship winner Sarah Wolfe

Scholarship #3, Sarah Wolfe, Student and Flight Instructor, Pensacola, Florida

Seaplane Rating in Legend Cub with Daryl Hickman, Cub Flying, Daytona, Florida

“I volunteered at my first seaplane fly-in with the Aero Club of PA at the seaplane base in Essington, PA.  I wrote a brief review of the event which was published in the Seaplane Flying Magazine.”

“I have only been involved in aviation for a few years, but funnily enough I can’t ever remember a time when I haven’t been fascinated by seaplanes. Every time I watch one take off I am entranced by the way they glide gracefully across the water, skim, hop, and finally take to the air. The 2019 Splash-In at Essington Seaplane Base was my first chance to see the magic up close. Announcing their arrival with the quiet rumblings of an engine from afar or twinkling like a small speck on the horizon, the seaplane arrivals captured the attention of attendees who quickly ran to the banks to watch them land and taxi up the ramp onto the grass. Throughout the day, I had the opportunity to watch planes land and takeoff, talk with pilots about their experiences and hear their stories, and enjoy a fun day of plane spotting with good food and good people. I am encouraged by the dedication to revitalizing the seaplane community in the Philadelphia area so that generations to come can continue to be captivated by this unique aspect of the general aviation community. Keep your eyes open for news about upcoming seaplane events – they’re sure to make a big splash! “

Daryl Hickman at Cub Flying is an FAA-rated Airline Transport Pilot for land and sea airplanes, and holds Commercial Pilot certificates in balloons and gliders, a Light Sport Repairman-Maintenance certificate, as well as a Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate for airplanes and gliders.  This Seaplane Rating scholarship includes flight training in an American Legend AL-18 Cub. Takeoff from the airport and land on beautiful lakes and rivers; Learn Docking, Beaching, Ramping and Sailing; Develop sound weather judgement.

Tailwheel Endorsement Scholarship winner Rose Snyder

Scholarship #4, Rose Snyder, Envoy Air First Officer, from Carrollton, Texas

Tailwheel Endorsement, Big Q Aviation, Midlothian, Texas (Dallas area)

What sets you apart from other applicants?

“I have a strong history of finishing what I start, even if it takes me 14 years! Aviation is something I have had to fight my whole life to be a part of. This scholarship will really help me accomplish the dream I started chasing all those years ago. I have a life long passion for teaching and would like to one day open my own flight school and be able to offer tailwheel endorsements to my students.”

Tailwheel Endorsement Scholarship winner Anise Shapiro

Scholarship #4A, Anise Shapiro, freelance CFII/MEI Instructor from Plano, Texas

Tailwheel Endorsement, Big Q Aviation, Midlothian, Texas (Dallas area)

What made you want to be a pilot?

“I’ve always been so fascinated by the world above and always saw myself capable of anything anyone else could do if I had the chance and money. I met an American Airlines pilot who basically planted the seed. He said I would make a great pilot, I said I’m short which he responded that I’d have more room in the cockpit! I said I wear contacts and he took out his glasses and said I had to see better than an old man! I said I was a girl and he said with the job quotas they will give me his job and he found that female pilots are some of the very best! He said don’t let money stop you from your dreams! So I took a discovery flight and the CFI said I was a natural so I got a job at Addison airport and pursued the freedom of flight and being able to soar with the birds! I am living the dream everyday now sharing this freedom with so many other women and men!”

Big Q Aviation‘s  Tailwheel Endorsement Scholarship includes ground school and instruction in a 1940 J-3 Cub. For tailwheel endorsements the student must show proficiency in tailwheel for normal and crosswind landings.

Tailwheel Endorsement Scholarship winner Cindy Ferek

Scholarship #5, Cindy Ferek is a CFII at Blue Ridge Aviation, Weyers Cave, Virginia

Tailwheel Endorsement in Legend Cub with Daryl Hickman, Cub Flying, Daytona, Florida

Why should you be selected as a scholarship winner?

“I have 2 speeds- full throttle and sleep! People say my enthusiasm is contagious and I am passionate about teaching. I have always been an educator and now I get to teach from a cockpit across the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Hands on, practical and kinesthetic learning environments are what I create on the ground and when we fly. I want to bring that passion and enthusiasm to the exciting arena of taildragger flying.”

Daryl Hickman at Cub Flying is an FAA-rated Airline Transport Pilot for land and sea airplanes, and holds Commercial Pilot certificates in balloons and gliders, a Light Sport Repairman-Maintenance certificate, as well as a Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate for airplanes and gliders. This scholarship includes 6 hours flight training in a Legend Cub plus all ground school instruction; learn the art and science behind operating an aircraft with conventional gear; Improve stick and rudder skills; Learn the appropriate uses of forward and slide slips.

The EAA Women Soar Society’s mission is to grow the participation of women in aviation careers and areas of passion, and to support opportunities in aviation for women of all ages. As you can see, by partnering with Ladies Love Taildraggers on the above scholarships, they are truly fulfilling that important mission.

Join the WomenVenture virtual group photo! Send a photo of yourself celebrating your favorite aviation moment, and we’ll make a collage of all the photos we receive. The deadline to submit photos is July 1, 2020. Submit photo: https://www.eaatogether.org/WomenVenturePhoto #EAAtogether

Additionally, many thanks to

• our scholarship judges, Val Slocum, Jacquie Warda and Jeannie Batto
• those who made a financial donation
• the CFIs and Flight Schools who have donated their time, talent and aircraft to our scholarship program!