AGAZINE - Midwest Flyer

Good Things Happening In Aviation… Be Proud & Enjoy! Dialogue
by Dave Weiman
Just when I hear someone talking
about the decrease in pilot
numbers, I am reminded of all
of the good efforts being made by
individuals like you, aviation groups,
businesses and airports to promote
aviation. There is SO MUCH being
done to promote aviation that most of us
can take great pride in our involvement.
In this issue, we have an article about a women’s
pilot group in Minnesota that started a “Girls Day At The
Airport” to encourage school-age girls to explore aviation.
I would be very surprised if at least a couple of these kids
did not take flying lessons, especially if they continue to
be mentored, which can be so important in achieving one’s
pilot certificate.
What could be more fun than to be a teenager and attend
a “young aviator’s camp?” What an eye-opener for kids. In
this issue, we report on such a camp in Racine, Wisconsin.
The volunteers that get involved in the camp are to be
commended.
We have a number of reports on fly-ins and air shows
in this issue, and as one airport manager told me, “a fly-in
or air show is the one time of the year we can showcase
our airports and the benefits of aviation to the non-flying
public.” Those aircraft owners that encourage kids and
adults to touch, and even sit in their planes at these events,
are to be commended. See our “Calendar” of events in
this issue and online at www.MidwestFlyer.com for an
ever-changing listing of upcoming fly-ins and air shows.
Wondering where the future of aviation is? Wonder
no more! Meet Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski of Chicago in
this issue. At age 9, she decided to learn to fly and took
flying lessons in Canada due to that country’s lower age
restrictions. Then in 2006, at age 12, she started building
a Zenith CH 601XL and completed it in 2008. Sabrina
was recognized by the Illinois Aviation Trades Association
(IATA) at the Illinois Aviation Conference this spring
for her accomplishments, and will be heading to the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) this fall to
pursue a career in aviation and aerospace. We look forward
to following Sabrina’s career.
Co n t i n u e d On Pa g e 7
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2010 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE 5