A CHALLENGE LED
There has been so much chatter recently on the looming pilot shortage and the effects that it would have on the Aviation Industry, however the industry is seeking ways to recruit and prepare young future pilots to meet the demand. Although the discussion was probably happening at the time, it wasn’t what led me to Aviation or my goal to become an Air Force fighter pilot. My journey was set into motion by a complete accident. Growing up I’ve always had direction but not an absolute destination. Like most children I was obsessed with dinosaurs, so much so that I attempted to release a dinosaur, that I thought was still in my grandmother’s antique egg. Needless to say, I destroyed it. But that never stopped my natural curiosity of things every child is gifted with, in fact it only ignited it more. My interest continued to shift around from paleontology, zoology, and marine biology. I was always the science guy. And I was expected to stay in that field and follow through with one of those careers. That all changed when I started middle school, when my mother embarrassed me in front of a room full of students who were signed up for a unique class called Aeronautics. I am sure that everyone has that story where their parents embarrass them in front of all their classmates, and it forever ruins their lives. My story is what changed my direction and it continues to influence the path I choose to take. Here’s how it went: I had
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gotten a class on my schedule called Aeronautics. Not exactly the class I was hoping for since I wanted to get into the pre-veterinary program and continue to work with animals. My mom wanted me to change it because it entailed a lot of reading, and I’m not the most enthusiastic reader. Her words were “I will not set you up for failure.” The reasoning was my older sister had taken the class and is an avid reader. Victoria was always one of the only girls in the class and she worked hard to complete all three courses. I think my mom believed that since it was out of my element, I wouldn’t do too well in it. Even so, my mother allowed me to make my own decision on what to do about the schedule mishap, but as always, my natural curiosity prevailed. As you might have guessed, I decided to continue with the class and take off into the experience that would be the aeronautics class. Our teacher, Mr. Griffith was a retired Air Force, B-52 navigator who taught at Sanford Middle School. He instructed us on first the basics of flight, then slowly we worked our way to learning to apply our skills to simulator training. The class itself was very competitive, having many different opportunities that you wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else. That included taking a free introductory flight courtesy of the Young Eagles program. After my first intro-flight my sense of competition in the class grew, leading me to want to do as best as I can to secure more opportunities to advance me farther into the field.
