by Scott Whelan
Most members did not know this but, Amy Whelan is home for her summer break. This summer it is eight days long. But she is trying to get a lot done during her short time at home.

As part of her commitment to EAA and Chapter 1541 she has been providing mentoring to youth members of the chapter. Amy was Chapter 1541’s first Ray Scholar and due to Covid restrictions last year she passed her check ride on the day she was supposed to graduate high school. Later that day Jim Hughes organized a fly over during her graduation party. Amy is extremely grateful and appreciative of everything the chapter has provided her and she now wants to help provide and mentor other upcoming pilots. She has really been looking forward to providing her first Young Eagle flight. This last Thursday she was finally able to make that happen.

From One Scholar to Another
While most people were still asleep, Amy and Hannah Treehan, Chapter 1541’s current Ray Scholar, met at the airport at 7:00 am for a Young Eagle Flight. Amy was excited to have Chapter 1541’s current Ray Scholar as her first Young Eagle flight.

As Amy said, “this is like coming around full circle. I think of all the things the chapter has provided me, this now allows me to give back to the chapter.” Later that afternoon, she also gave her first Eagle flight when she took her mom up.

Amy admits it’s hard to follow everything the chapter is doing while she is 3,000 miles away attending flight school at Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach. However, she is committed to participating in as many member meetings and IMC Club presentations as she can. And when she is home she will try to coordinate as many events in person as possible.

Amy landed last Friday around 1pm. Missing California’s gourmet food, her first stop was at In-and-Out. An hour and half later and she was back at her second home, KLHM. Her first stop was to tag along with Bruce Estes as he provided a Young Eagle flight to a new youth member, Kayden Kusick. Kayden is a Junior at Lincoln High School, who is also interested in pursuing a career in aviation. He was brought to my attention by chapter member Mary Wick.

Later that afternoon Amy set up a flight with our chapter President, Darren Coomler. She then coordinated having Kayden tag along on their flight. Amy and he had a conversation about “life” at Embry-Riddle. And she will be there to help answer any additional questions about the school.

Amy is extremely appreciative to Darren Coomler for the use of his aircraft while she was home. She would also like to thank Eduardo Jiron for helping her, and signing her off in the Piper Warrior. Amy would also like to thank one of her mentor pilots, John Tate. John coordinated having Amy attend a formation flying event today at McClellan airport. Amy said, “That is the coolest thing I’ve ever done, and I’m really looking forward to doing it again.

Side note. I also am extremely grateful to Darren for use of his aircraft. Pilots really understand that special bond that is built in the air. As a father, to have an opportunity to go flying with my daughter, and experience that moment she looks over and says, “You have the controls”, and with a tear in my eyes and lump in my throat I answer, “I have the controls”.

Blue sky and tailwinds,