2017 FMA Solo Recipient from TN.
Today, Tanner Quigley and I flew to Lebanon, TN and worked on S turns over a road, turns around a point, and slipping into a landing. We experienced a lot of turbulence, but it was a beautiful day to fly. Now that exams are over, I’ll be back in the air on a regular basis. I’m looking forward to being back up on Wednesday
Yesterday, I was back in the air after a break. It felt great. The temperature was much cooler and it was a great day for flying at Murfreesboro Aviation.
Because it had been a few weeks since I had flown, my instructor, Tanner Quigley, spent time going back over the basics as a refresher, then we took to the air. We worked on steep turns, slow flight, power-off stall, point turns, and landings (5 in all). Because the weather is changing, we talked about the differences in aircraft performance in warm versus cold weather and the precautions I will need to take depending on weather conditions.
On Tuesday, I will return for ground school and then will be back in the air on December 6. I can’t wait!
It has been awhile since I last posted. I’ve had a very busy fall, but now that marching band season has come to a close, I will be back in the air with Tanner Quigley and Murfreesboro Aviation on Friday.
In other news, this weekend I had a chance to log time in a 1928 Ford Tri-Motor 5 AT-B, NC9645. It is an amazing aircraft. Thanks to EAA Chapter 419, Murfreesboro Aviation, and the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport for bringing her to town.
While at the airport, I met Allen Withers, who served in the Air Force as a Chaplin for 37 years. He explained that he had lost his son at age 20 and after the Tri-Motor flight, he gave me his Challenge Coin. I can’t express in words how much I appreciated his gift. 
I hope to be back in the air soon at Murfreesboro Aviation and I’ll report on my progress, but in the meantime, I have other news. I have been accepted to and will be attending the University of Tennessee in the fall of 2018! I will be majoring in aerospace engineering. I also plan to audition for the Pride of the Southland Marching Band next semester.
With the start of school, the ACT test, marching band, and college applications, I have been grounded. However, I will be back in the air at Murfreesboro Aviation in a few days, after the weather clears.
On the college front, and as of last night, I have been accepted to all 3 of the engineering schools to which I have applied!
I’ll post again as soon as I’m back in the air.
Congratulations, William, for being the first one of us to solo!
Yesterday, I was up again with my instructor Tanner Quigley with Murfreesboro Aviation. After pre-flight and takeoff, we worked on different in-air maneuvers, including near landings and rapid pull-ups at Puckett Field, which is a glider field near my grandfather’s farm. Here are photos of our takeoff from MBT. I’m scheduled for another lesson on Monday. Stay tuned.
I haven’t done so in a while, but I want to thank all of the FMASolo sponsors for creating this opportunity for me and the other scholarship recipients. Sponsors like the FMA, Bose, Aviators HotLine, Sporty’s Pilot Shop, MyGoFlight, Gleim, Banjo Ben Clark, Trade-A-Plane, GlobalAir.com, 121five.com, Murfreesboro Aviation, Quality Aviation Services, and AVSport of Lock Haven, have helped us pursue our goals of learning to fly!
I was back in the air on Monday at Murfreesboro Aviation! My instructor, Tanner Quigley, and I flew from MBT to SYI (Shelbyville), where I practiced touch & go’s. It’s really cool to fly over all the places you drive on a daily basis. I’ve learned a lot about driving in Murfreesboro just by flying over it and better understanding the layout of the city and the major landmarks. I also completed the IACRA registration so I can get my student pilot certificate. I have another lesson today at 1:00 p.m. I’ll let you know how it goes.
I am also back in school – 2 schools in fact! On Friday, I started my Senior year of High School at Eagleville. I’m taking 2 classes at EHS: choir and band. The rest of my courses will be at Middle Tennessee State University where I am a dual enrollment college student. At MTSU, I’m taking Calculus, English, and Intro to Aerospace.
It’s also time to apply to college! I’ve been working on my applications and college essays. I’m looking at aerospace engineering programs at the University of Tennessee, University of Alabama, University of Alabama Huntsville, Georgia Tech, and University of Colorado Boulder.
With marching band, mid-state choir auditions, high school courses, colleges courses, ACT prep, flying lessons, and college applications, I have a very busy fall ahead!
Back at Murfreesboro Aviation today for ground school training with Tanner Quigley. It was great to be back after a break for band camp and a summer class at MTSU.
Today, we covered weight and balance, center of gravity, different engine types, and engine components. I found the different fuel delivery systems very interesting. My next scheduled lesson is Saturday. More later!
I had a great time this morning with FMA Ambassador Gary Piper at the EAA Chapter 863 Fly-in Breakfast in Lebanon, Tennessee. 
The last two weeks have been dedicated to marching band camp. Everyone has been working hard and I can’t wait to put our show on the field. I’ll be back in the air next week at Murfreesboro Aviation to continue my lessons.
Tomorrow morning I plan to join FMA Ambassador Gary Piper at the EAA Chapter 863 Saturday breakfast in Lebanon, TN. I’m looking forward to it!
Have a great weekend!
Isaac
