Sebring’s EAA Chapter 1240 has awarded 5 Private Pilot Ground School Scholarships to local students
Ground School is the first of two primary phases in earning a private pilot license. The second phase (separate scholarship process) is taking the controls of the aircraft under the direction of Certified Flight Instructors and mastering flight. Upon completion of each phase, formal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examinations must be passed.
Summer classes have begun for the 5 high school age students from the Highlands County community in their pursuit of a coveted Private Pilot license. These students were selected from a highly qualified pool of candidates through an application and selection process that evaluated academics, community involvement, life experiences, desire of achievement and submitted letters of recommendation.
The recipients are: Tegan Vaughn Wilson, Ty Joseph Johnston, Coral Elizabeth Covert, Logan Yenu Nagy, Dylan Paul Bond.
Leading the instruction is Shira Ellsworth, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and Jeremy Regeon, CFI is stepping in as backup supporting the training efforts.
EAA1240 has provided each student a complete Gleim Private Pilot training kit that includes books, videos, on-line resources, flight computers and plotters.
In Ground School students learn the fundamentals and principals of flight that include instruction in the following areas:
- Federal Aviation Regulations relating to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations
- Accident reporting requirements of the NTSB
- Using the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and FAA Advisory Circulars (AC)
- Using aeronautical charts for VFR navigation (pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems)
- Radio communication procedures
- Recognition of critical weather situations, windshear avoidance, and obtaining and interpreting aeronautical weather reports and forecasts
- Safe and efficient operation of aircraft (collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence)
- Density altitude effect on takeoff and climb performance
- Weight and balance calculations
- Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems
- Stalls and spins awareness, entry, and recovery techniques
- Aeronautical decision making and judgment
- Preflight action that includes:
- Obtaining information on runway lengths, takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements at airports of intended use
- Planning for alternatives
- Ground School (Rules, aerodynamics, weather, communications.
To all of the members of EAA 1240: Your personal contribution of time, training, and financial donations are what has made this scholarship program possible, and we thank you. Your continued support is encouraged and is greatly appreciated.
