<body><div>Local Ray Aviation scholar begins flight training at County Airport News Staff Wed, 06/14/2023 - 13:27 Image <ul class="slides"><li><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=02JWXo_0mvo0Llu00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=02JWXo_0mvo0Llu00" width="630" height="420" > Juliana Rodriguez confirms aircraft fuel level as part of her preflight inspection. – Photo by Lindy Segall </li><li><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0gdWHt_0mvo0Llu00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0gdWHt_0mvo0Llu00" width="509" height="420" > Rodriguez checks the propeller for any cracks or abrasions&nbsp;as she preflights the aircraft. </li></ul> Body After receiving her official welcome as the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Local Chapter 1088’s 2023 Ray Aviation Scholar, Juliana Martinez has begun flight training in pursuit of her private pilot’s license (PPL). <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Weather permitting, Martinez takes off with instructor James Mickel two to three times each week from Crosswind Aviation Flight School, based at Gillespie County Airport in Fredericksburg. They fly a C-172 “Skyhawk,” an American four-seat, single-engine, high wing plane made by the Cessna Aircraft Company. A typical training session begins with a meticulous preflight of the aircraft.&nbsp; Under Mickel’s watchful eye, Martinez carefully inspects all external working components using a prescribed checklist. After a briefing to determine her readiness for the upcoming lesson, the two climb aboard and prepare for takeoff including a check of all mechanical and electrical systems. To date, Martinez has logged several hours of flight time during which she executed straight and level flight, climbs and descents, turning maneuvers, emergency procedures and basic navigation skills. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> After a successful landing and return to the hangar, student and instructor sit down for a pilot’s debriefing session as Martinez listens carefully to Mickel’s critique of her performance aloft. Once complete, he signs her logbook with notations of skills learned and practiced during the flight. After honing her skills and learning more advanced navigation and radio communication techniques, Martinez will be ready for the next milestone ... her first solo flight. “Juli’s making good progress and gaining confidence with every flight lesson ... I think she has great potential as a pilot,” said Mickel. With high school graduation behind her, Juliana has more time to devote to ground school studies in preparation for the required FAA written exam. Additionally, she logs time on a Redbird C-172 Flight Simulator to reinforce what she learns in the air. She continues to provide voluntary service in support of Chapter 1088 activities each month. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> To follow her progress, check out the EAA 1088 Facebook page. All are welcome at the monthly chapter meetings held at Gillespie County Airport each third Saturday of the month. The EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship is a scholarship program funded by the Ray Foundation, managed by EAA, and administered through the local chapter network.&nbsp; Through the generous support of the Ray Foundation, EAA provides up to $11,000 to deserving youths to help cover their flight training, totaling $1,800,000 in annual scholarship funding. For more information, go to https://www.eaa.org/eaa/eaa-chapters/eaa-chapter-resources/chapter-programs-and-activities/ray-aviation-scholarship-fund <a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

Local Ray Aviation scholar begins  flight training at County Airport
News Staff
Wed, 06/14/2023 - 13:27

  
    Image
          
              

 

      Juliana Rodriguez confirms aircraft fuel level as part of her preflight inspection. – Photo by Lindy Segall
    

      Rodriguez checks the propeller for any cracks or abrasions as she preflights the aircraft. 
    


     ...