Foil: 13 Panel: 4 Column: 4 Line: 34

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. David Hennings

The Dream of Flight
There has never been a time in my life when my future aspirations were not related to flight. In kindergarten I strode around in my home-made astronaut costume for the "what I wanted to be when I grow up" assembly. A few years later my Dad and I made a go-cart out of plywood, but of course I couldn't just drive a plain old car, I insisted on driving an airplane, so we added wooden wings. Currently, I greatly enjoy flying my remote controlled park flyer. I love watching it soar above my house while I imagine I'm up there piloting it. I can actually feel the pull of gravity on my own body as my plane banks and glides through the sky. I suppose that much of my interest in aviation now was stimulated by many trips to airplane museums, a few trips to the Auburn Air Fair, a very memorable vacation to Castle Air Force Museum and a remarkable trip to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. My exposure to flight at an early age has helped my passion grow into a major part of my life.
I have been considering the steps I must take in order to achieve a fulfilling and rewarding career, and I know that I can apply my love for science and physics to the mechanics of airplanes and their design. In the future I wish to become an aerospace engineer. Until then, I really want to learn more about airplanes and learn to be a pilot.
To receive this scholarship would mean more than just jump-starting my dream. It would give me an opportunity to do what I love. In August 2002, 1 participated in the "Young Eagles" program at the auburn airport. Both my brother and I boarded the plane. It was the first time either of us had been in a small aircraft before, and my brother was having second thoughts. I actually wouldn't have minded if he had chosen not to come, for that would have meant that I would get to be in the front seat the whole time! He decided to come along after all, but I still got my time up front. I will never forget that experience; the pilot handed the controls over to me, and I didn't hesitate one bit before I felt the rush of excitement as I was in control of the aircraft. He taught me how to make turns and to read the instruments; it was so thrilling to be able to "slip the surly bonds of earth," and watch life go on from way above. As we approached the landing he showed me how we had to set ourselves up to land properly, and then he told me to do it! I was almost disappointed when he took the yoke back to land the plane, but I knew I would be able to do it myself someday.
I found out about the Young Eagles program when my Grandfather took us to the air show in Grass Valley. My Grandfather worked as a materials analyst for United Airlines for thirty-seven years, so we got access into an exhibit of the Douglas DC-3 that belonged to the president of United Airlines. I sat in the pilot's seat and imagined what it would have been like to fly in the early days of aviation. I have met many of my Grandfather's friends and old colleagues who are retired pilots and I enjoy listening to their stories about everything from the "Golden days of aviation," to the days of World War II, and about technology in aviation today.