We are so fortunate to have received thirty-three nominations from North America, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. It was stressed to all that pilots use checklist to ensure accuracy and completeness. In order to succeed, they too will learn to use a checklist. Checklist is similar to sight reading music in that you must first look over the piece become familiar with the basics structure and the nuances that pertain to you. There are cases where you do not have time to consult a checklist. For these instances you must have the basics memorized. The breakdown of nominees is as follows: 25 – sr, 8 – jr, 12 – f, 21… Read More
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Will Solos
Soloing an aircraft is one of the greatest achievements, remembered forever, by a pilot. FMA student member, Will Adcox, soloed on December 4, 2020. Below is his account of this momentous event. On December 4, 2020, I had just gotten out of school and was going to what I thought would be a normal flight lesson. After I pre-flighted the plane, my instructor took me inside the flight school and had me fill out a form for my first solo. Before I knew it, I finished two touch-and goes with my flight instructor and he was telling me that he would step out of the plane and that I would… Read More
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Jacob Solos
The final 2020 FMA Solo recipient has soloed. Jacob Burdette from Ohio has flown an aircraft, alone, on November 21, 2020, all while attending Kent State University, studying aviation, and performing with Kent State Marching Golden Flash. Jacob accomplished this with the assistance of Paul Marchky, flight instructor, in a Cessna 152 (Kemt 2) at the Kent State University flight school. “I finally got to fly a plane by myself for the first time after 16 hours of training, and I felt invincible. I will never forget November 21, 2020. I taxied to the runway and lined up with the centerline and pushed the throttle to full power. Before I… Read More
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Jennifer Solos
Pharmacist Fills Flight Prescription Jennifer Miller came one step further to her lifelong dream of becoming a pilot on November 6, 2020 by flying a Light Sport aircraft as its sole occupant. Miller, originally from Texas, has been receiving flight training for nearly five months at AvSport LLC, the sport flying school on the Piper Memorial Airport. “Jennifer has immersed herself in her studies,” says Prof. H. Paul Shuch, her flight instructor and the founder of AvSport. “She has become an active member of several aviation organizations, including the Flying Musicians Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the 99s, the international association of woman pilots. Through those memberships,… Read More
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Chloe Solos
Chloe Litteral is a 2020 FMA Solo finalist from Lake Charles, Louisiana. We are so happy and proud of her. She is already a very valuable member of the FMA network. “After completing King’s School Aviation Course online on 9/15/2020, I took the FAA exam on 9/25/2020 and passed. Much of my course prep was during the months of August and September. Difficulty in course prep came when both Hurricane Laura and Delta hit our hometown. The sound of our generator running to provide electricity for our home was unbearable at times but I pushed through the abnormalities knowing it would not be forever. I started flight instruction immediately after… Read More
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On November 5th, 2020 yet another FMA Solo finalist soloed. “Out at Rochester International Airport (KRST) today I did my first solo – I flew around the pattern in many different configurations. Was beautiful. 65 degrees, wind 290 at about 3 and not much other traffic. I did some right patterns, left patterns, touch and goes, stop and goes, etc. loved every second of it. Next up? Cross country!” Brad’s flight instructor, Brent Carlsen, instructs at Great planes aviation and he flew a Piper Archer 3. As for materials, I am using an iPad mini with a fancy swivel case. I use the mini because of the cramped nature of the… Read More
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2020 FMA Solo Recipient Solos
On a beautiful September evening, Jake Myers soloed in a Bristell Aircraft at Carlisle Business Airport (N94) in Carlisle, PA. Jake accomplished this feat in 10.9 hours under the tutelage of CFI Jon Still, Still Flying LLC, and Sport Flying USA Services. “I completed my first solo flight!!! It was amazing. I did three takeoffs and three landings all by myself. They were great too, no problems at all.” – Jake Myers. Read all about this wonderful event and more from the beginning of Jake’s journey at FMAsolo.org. There, you will also be able to follow Jacob Burdette’s (2nd 2020 FMA Scholarship recipient) journey while attending Kent State. CONGRATULATIONS JAKE!… Read More
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Nathan Solos
Nathan Baxley, a 2020 FMA Solo finalist from Alabama, soloed on June 23, 2020 at Shelby County Airport (KEEF) with Over The Mountain Aviation in a Cessna 172. Nate’s CFI is Mark Scardino. ”I’m 17 years old, and i just flew solo for the first time. it feels amazing to have taken such a huge step towards my lifelong goal of becoming a pilot.” – Nathan Baxley Congratulations Nate About Nathan: I am a Junior from Birmingham, Alabama. I have wanted to be a pilot for as long as I can remember. Two of my great-grandfathers were pilots, one of them flying P-47s in WWII. I grew up near Tyndall… Read More
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Jacob Solos
2020 FMA Solo finalist, Jacob Tidwell from Benton, Arkansas, soloed on June 16, 2020 with the Central Arkansas Flying Club at Saline County Regional Airport (KSUZ), in Bryant, AR. Jacob’s instructor is Mike Williamson who is also the president of the club The aircraft Jacob has trained in and soloed in is a Cessna Skyhawk 172E. “After a month and a half, and 14.2 flight hours, I had my first solo flight. The feeling of freedom was amazing, and all 8 landings felt good (even if a couple weren’t actually). Since my first solo, I have soloed a couple more times, and soon I will start my cross countries. I have… Read More
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Outstanding 2019 FMA Solo Recipient
By awarding Navya Pottumutu a BOSE A20 headset, FMA acknowledges Navya’s dedication while staying engaged as the most outstanding recipient of the 2019 FMA Solo program. Navya not only crushed her goals but was a stellar ambassador growing with each interaction while inspiring others. We thank BOSE and BOSE Aviation for their continued support by donating this wonderful headset – BOSE A20 Aviation Headset using Noise Reduction Technology. Navya will be able to protect her ears while flying making possible her continued love for making music. How amazing is it when a student pushes forward in spite of the hardships to accomplish a goal. Every year we have the hard… Read More
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