Pilot Ground School for Local Students

Students listening to Dan DeShon discuss how and why an airplane flies. Aerodynamics was the main topic the first evening, a new topic for most of those attending – Contributed photo

Monday night eight local students were given the opportunity to take a pilot ground school class compliments of Kathleen Bartholomew, who raised funds from local business people to provide scholarships for the class thru COVE. With the growing shortage of pilots in the country, she feels students should have the opportunity to explore aviation.

Students sent essays to Isaac Berg of COVE for awarding of scholarships. Westwind Aviation is providing the class thru instructors Dan DeShon, Dan Schwartz and Mari Peterson. Ernie’s Cafe (Patrick and Christine) donated their space to the cause and all were in attendance for the first class.

Over 8 nights the students will learn about the different disciplines required of flying. Aerodynamics, meteorology, federal flight rules, airport operations, weight & balance and others.

The first night included an introduction of the instructors Dan DeShon, Dan Schwartz and Mari Peterson (present via Skype from Alaska), an overview of the course and introduction to aerodynamics (why and how an airplane flies) as well as some background on aviation history.

Thanks to the donors who provided the funds for the evening classes: Aeronautical Services, Mark and Dawn Alger, Robert Brunkow, Monica Van Appel-Percich & Jacoba Porter, Kathleen Bartholomew and John Nance, Robert Tauscher and Westwind Aviation

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