Category: FMA Solo – Sarah Coffelt

Finally, after three instructors, two planes, and one crazy year, I have soloed! Although I have faced many setbacks on my way to solo, it will forever be something I am unable to forget.

My solo flight was not what I expected it to be. As if having to fly a plane by myself for the first time wasn’t enough, I also had to avoid a Glider Academy and Skydivers at the airport. My biggest battle was getting accustom to the plane’s performance without the weight of my instructor. But, one go-around and four landings later, I had soloed and was thankful to be on the ground again! I would like to thank everyone who has been able to make this dream become reality and helping me through this past year!

I would also like to congratulate this year’s winners and encourage them to continue to pursue flying even when it seems the odds are stacked against you. The biggest lesson I have taken out of my whole experience is that being in the right plane and being paired with the right instructor can change your entire flight experience.

Again thank you to FMA for allowing me to begin my flight training and to all of its sponsors who have made all this possible!

I am so close to being ready to solo- I can feel it! However, the wind just won’t let up! In recent lessons, my instructor and I have fought strong winds on landings and cross-country flights. Landing with a cross wind has been a big struggle for me since I tend to overthink landings. Although, in my most recent lesson, the winds were very calm and I was able to make a few good landings by myself! Next lesson, my instructor an I will start working on stalls in take-off and in the pattern as well as soft field and short field landings.

Over the holidays, the Tullahoma band and I performed our annual Christmas concert, below there is a link to check it out! This semester, the band and I are very excitingly working to prepare for our upcoming performance on the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii. I hope everyone has a great New Year!

This year, I did not get a Fall Break. Last week, the Beechcraft Heritage Museum hosted its annual Beech Party Fly-In here at the Tullahoma Regional Airport. It was amazing! As a lineman at Tullahoma Airport, I was able to fuel and interact with many different types of planes and pilots from across the country. Some of my favorite planes that came in were the Staggerwings, B-18, and the Starship 2000.

The week before, The Tullahoma High School Band marched in the Oneonta Covered Bridge Marching Contest. My band was given the highest marks in categories such as color guard, percussion, band, and my favorite, Field Commander. The band also took home best field commander and band at the competition. I could not be more proud of my band’s performance; it was an amazing way to finish the 2016 marching season and my marching experience with the band. 

 

Hello again,
With the beginning of school and the start of the marching band season, it has been extremely hard for Chris, my instructor, and I to find a time to fly. However, with the time out of the plane, I have had ample time to use the Sporty’s Learn to Fly course. One thing I really like about Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course is how easy it is to carry what you learn online to your experience in the plane. The videos are very easy to understand and work very well for me specifically since they introduce new topics slowly and thoroughly without leaving room for confusion. I am excited to fly again soon, and use the information that I have learned on the Learn to Fly Course in the air!

Hello again,

Recently, I have completed a few of my first lessons on my way to completing my solo and receiving my privet pilot rating. So far, my instructor, Chris Pickerell, and I have gone over some basic flight maneuvers to introduce me to the air plane and to get accustomed to flying. I am flying in a Piper-28-140, Piper Cherokee (pictured below). The Cherokee is very easy to learn-on and maneuver which allows for a sigh of relief for me. My first few hours in the air have ignited my love for aviation further. I have watched videos, studied, and talked with other pilots about flying, but nothing compares to actually being in the plane and learning hands-on. I cannot wait to continue my training and to become a better pilot.

Hello,

I am very excited to announce that this Saturday I will begin my flight training with my instructor, Chris Pickerell! After finalizing details on Monday, Mr. Pickerell and I are ready to begin the extensive journey for me to get my privet pilot rating. Since my Summer has been very busy, all my nerves and excitement about getting my privet rating have somewhat taken a back seat, but not anymore. I cannot wait to begin flying!

I’d like to thank all the sponsors who have donated their money and their resources to help me, and others, learn to fly. I would like to thank Sporty’s pilot shop for donating their Learn To Fly online ground school course. This course has already taught me so much, even before my first lesson! This course is easy to use, and extensively covers the topics needed to learn to fly. Additionally, I would like to thank My GoFlight for sending me an amazing, customized flight bag that I will use for years to come. Again I would like to thank everyone and every business that has contributed to make this scholarship possible. Because of these donations and the help from FMA,  I am able to pursue my dreams which I never thought possible.

Hello,

It has been awhile since I have last talked to you all, so let me catch you up on everything that has happened.

On May 15, I and the Tullahoma Band performed our second annual “Pops Concert.” The concert consisted of popular marches and one very recognizable piece that us band nerds can truly appreciate. Undeniably, the crowd favorite was “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” And as a horn player, it was my favorite too. After our concert, the band immediately shifted to preparing for the fall marching season. This consisted of cleaning the dust off of marching horns, and selecting individuals to be apart of “Leadership.” The Tullahoma Band has a unique leadership system which starts with acting as a role model and spans to teaching and instructing your section (instrument family). This gives the upperclassmen a majority of the responsibility for teaching and instructing the band’s new members, and gives the underclassmen the chance to learn, observe, and help the band in any way possible. This year I have the amazing opportunity to be both the band’s main Field Commander and Band Captain. As Band Captain, I am excited to start the next marching season, and working with all the band’s members.

I have recently talked to my flight instructor, Chris Pickerell, and I will begin flight lessons soon!