Why Musicians Make Great Pilots

UND FMA President Amara Lisowe and Vice President Ali Akbar crafted a really good article for General Aviation News. “The skills required to play an instrument and fly an aircraft have marked similarities, from precision and multitasking to listening and fine motor skills,” he says. “But that is not all. By educating others about these common attributes, we hope to further interest in both.” A group of students at the University of North Dakota (UND) agree, starting a Flying Musicians Association chapter at the school in 2023. Read the entire article at GAnews

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Hello Again!!

Lauren Grace ComptonHello All! Tis I from the Air Force Academy in Colorado! I am currently wrapping up classes for the semester, and I wanted to share a few updates! Every year students here have to take an aviation class, and I just finished mine based in a T-38 simulator. We were all the basics including level flight, climbs, descents, turns, and take offs and landings. Then at the end of the course we were allowed to fly the F22 in simulator! I had a great time pretending to be Maverick in the Grand Canyon! Unfortunately, the hours are not FAA approved, but it was a fun time! In addition,… Read More

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Ambassador Update from the US Air Force Academy

Lauren Grace ComptonMy first academic year at USAFA is off to an exciting start! The classes are very demanding, but I am well prepared for the rigor. Being in Drum and Bugle Corps is great fun! Earlier this month we played at our first home football game – USAFA vs Bucknell, which was a great victory and an exciting game! What a fantastic experience! From the Wings of Blue dropping in to Memorial Stadium with the game ball and flags to the Thunderbirds flyover just before kickoff, I am so proud to be a Cadet at USAFA. I am even prouder to be a member of this outstanding band and… Read More

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Third Annual Irish Trad Session at AirVenture!

Mike DeweyAre you excited about flying? Are you excited about traditional Irish music? Are you especially excited about both flying and Irish music? This year at AirVenture 2025, the Flying Musicians Association is hosting the third annual trad seisiún on Thursday night. 
All attendees are welcome, especially those who play an instrument associated with Irish music—be it fiddle, tin whistle, uilleann pipes, concertina, button accordion, bodhrán, guitar, banjo, or mandolin. We’re inviting musicians of all skill levels, and we’ll find some tunes for you to join in. We’ll even have sheet music for playing along and lyric sheets for singing along! For those who perform Irish dance—be it céilí dance,… Read More

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Big Moves!

Jake MyersHello FMA! It’s been a couple years since many of you have heard from me, and I have quite a few important updates regarding my aviation journey within that time period. For those who don’t know, I am Jake Myers, a 2021 FMA solo scholarship recipient. I am graduating from Penn State University with a BS in Plant Science in just a few short days, and then on May 16th I’ll be commissioning as a second lieutenant into the air force! I was selected for a pilot slot, and will be entering active duty and heading to Vance AFB base in Enid Oklahoma on 2 June to begin undergraduate… Read More

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First Flight Lesson!

Monroe SwiftLast week I had my first flying lesson! Through a branch of the EAA (Chapter 613) and a very generous group of people, I managed to get five free flight hours, and, as of last Friday I have used 4.5 of them. The only problem with it is that I’m training at Plattsburgh Airport in Northern NY, where the hanger for the Piper PA-28 Cherokee I fly is. Unfortunately Plattsburgh is almost three hours and an expensive ferry ride away. And to add to that, my weekend classes start at seven in the morning. It’s sustainable for now, but the money will run out soon. In an effort to… Read More

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Solo and Ensemble 2025!!

Lauren Grace ComptonJust got the results from my final MMEA Solo and Ensemble performance as a high schooler…… I earned the highest rating of superior of Chaminade’s Concertino, the same piece my mom played for her final solo and ensemble performance. After 8 years and twelve total flute solo and ensemble performances, I’ve grown so much as a musician. I couldn’t have selected a better final piece, and I cannot wait to see where my flute takes me in college!

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Messages from Jacy in Japan

Jacy FiskBeautiful Sunset This was my view while on my downwind at Kadena AFB in Okinawa, Japan. . . I was in awe of this beautiful sunset. Tryouts for Far East Band This week I’m trying out for my last Far East Band (all students from US military bases in Asia can compete). I’m nervous, excited, and a bit sad that it’s almost over. Wish me luck! Here’s a flashback photo of me from my freshman year. Proud Parents After one of my flight lessons, my parents showed me a screenshot of my phone’s location while I was flying. And, they took photos of me from our balcony. Because I’m… Read More

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Isaac Hill D-Day 2024

D-Day 80th Anniversary

Back in June I was able to participate in the 80th Anniversary Celebration of D-Day in France with the D-Day Collegiate Mass Band! It was comprised of current college students as well as collegiate alumni! It was an amazing experience getting to honor the men and women who gave so much for the freedoms we cherish today. I have attached a link to the parade that we performed in at Sainte-Mère-Église, I hope you enjoy it!by Issac Hill, FMA Solo recipient and Life member, and mentor

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