Where Are They Now:
FMA SOLO SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Copyright ©2018 by Tim Kern, for use of FMA and AviNation. All rights reserved.
Everybody seems to be lamenting the lack of new pilots, and a few institutions are doing something about it, but the Flying Musicians Association decided to look at factors that make a good pilot and tailor a program that would maximize success. Among the things that make a good pilot – crew management and working as a team; timing; motor and cognitive skills – airlines and the Air Force have long recognized these traits as common to successful pilot candidates. Like the airlines and the Air Force, so have Music Directors looked for these traits. Split-second timing, holding a group together when the edges are unraveling, using each person on the team to coordinate a successful performance, and stepping into leadership, without being asked but when needed for the success of the mission – band directors rely on these students. Band directors, because they see their students truly get tested every day and usually over several years, are also the closest to their students; they hear the dreams and disappointments, see the successes and failures (and the response to them). They are in unique relationships with high schoolers. Music teachers, not because they know what makes good pilots, but what makes good musicians – are good spotters of innate flying talent. And they know what their students’ dreams are. Maybe the student musician also wants to fly. So the FMA receives nominations for the students from music teachers. Then there’s the question of finance. Many organizations award scholarships to aspiring flight students, but, sadly, we know that most student starts don’t make it to solo, and even more never
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matriculate to that golden PPL. And one of the biggest obstacles isn’t a lack of motivation; it’s a lack of funding. In 2015, the FMA began a new program, designed to look at those young musicians most likely to complete their flight training and get a license, taking into all these aspects. And the FMA Board came up with a program to do this. Since the FMA literally is “Pilot Musicians sharing their passion while encouraging and educating youth (& adults) in the science and art of aeronautics and music,” a goal of encouraging music students in their parallel quest to reach for the sky seemed like a good idea. FMA realizes that throwing money at a recipient is not the key. Scholarships are precious, and scholarships run like a lottery expect results no better than the lottery. The FMA decided to get the most from sponsors’ money; the expected result is success. The true hidden gem in the FMA program is that each student is also mentored by the FMA network of pilot/ musicians. This vast (over 600 members) network consist of those who are reaching for success and those who have succeeded. Members are encouraged to reach out to assist not only the recipients but all the nominees who are now part of FMA as student members. Follow along and lend your support at www. FMAsolo.org. But there’s still that thing about finances. FMA knew that supplying resources to get students into the air was critical, but if that student could not continue flying (for valid financial reasons), the dream, the short-lived opportunity would be just that – a dream, and perhaps even a bitter one.
