Scott's First Solo

12/19/07-- Ed. note: Don Evans, our Chapter's long-serving Young Eagles Coordinator, recently received the following email from one Scott Lenahan. It was/is a special email, from a young man who not too long ago had taken a Young Eagles flight with us (Ch. 1279 & FFCAP) at Fallbrook. It was September, 2004, and Skip Slater was his pilot...

I'll let you read his note, and then 1279 President Steve Williamson's response (lightly edited):

From Scott:

hi Mr. Evans!!

sorry for the poor type.. I am using a phone right now.. I wanted to let you know that I soloed today!!!! I was nervous while my instructor and I did some landings together, but when he hopped out of the plane, I really didn't feel it at all... I made three great landings, and had a big smile of my face!! It was really busy in the pattern after my first landing... I think five airplanes were in or entering the pattern.... it was packed up there.. on a video my family took, there were two aircraft on long finals behind me... But it was a perfect evening to go up... Not one bump and hardly a breeze!!! pics will be on the way soon!!! Thanks for everything you have done for me to get to where I am... Thank all of EAA 1279 for me... Without you guys, I wouldn't have gotten this far..

Thanks again!!! See you at the airport!!

Check6

Scott out

And Steve's response--

- "...The message was recently sent to Don Evans, our Young Eagle Coordinator. The message came from 17 year old Scott Lenahan. His sense of excitement is clear in the message. But also his sense of gratitude to EAA, to Don Evans, and to Chapter 1279.

Scott took a Young Eagles flight with us several years ago. He was only 14 or 15 at the time. But he was hooked on flying. Wanting to stay involved in some way, he volunteered to work ground support at Young Eagle rallies for the next year. Eventually, he came to one of our chapter meetings. I asked him casually if he would like to pursue a pilots license himself. He told me that he'd like to, but he had no job, no income, and could not afford it. I suggested that he go introduce himself to Joe Diorrio, the FBO, and see if he could wash airplanes or pump gas or something like that in exchange for flight time.

A couple of weeks later he dropped by our Saturday morning Pietenpol workshop with the news that Joe had hired him to pump gas on weekends in exchange for flight time. He was practically jumping out of his skin with excitement. He didn't care about getting paid in money, he just wanted flight time.

Over the next several months I got used to seeing him at the fuel pit in the morning filling the fuel truck. He always waved enthusiastically. Clearly, he was where he wanted to be, doing what he wanted to do.

It has taken him six months to do it, but he has finally soloed. And he is clearly excited about it. He has done something that I am sure none of his schoolmates have done. And he has accomplished something that he will remember with pride for the rest of his life. As a testament to his character he never asked for free rides from the pilots on the field who would probably have done so gladly. He never asked for anything that he did not earn on his own. He took suggestions. He exercised a little personal initiative. He clearly demonstrated a sense of responsibility. And it all started with a Young Eagles flight.

Congratulations to Scott on his accomplishment. And thanks to Don Evans as well as all of the volunteers from FFCAP and EAA Chapter 1279 who consistently donate their time, energy, and their enthusiasm such that youngsters like Scott might catch the bug themselves and pursue the joys that are available to them through the experience of flight.

Steve Williamson, Pres.

EAA Chapter 1279

French Valley, CA"