Student Pilot Assistance Project
The Villages Aviation Club has established the Student Pilot Assistance Project to aid young, enthusiastic and deserving students in achieving their aviation goals by providing financial assistance toward their flight training. Each candidate has exhibited a strong desire to earn their first pilot certificate but may lack the financial means to do so. Individual members of the aviation community are encouraged to also participate in this project by making additional contributions. Please contact Bill Stafford at [email protected] to learn how you may participate.
This web page will chronicle the progress of the current student and list previous students who have obtained their pilot certificate with our assistance.
Our first recipient, Emily Lininger
The Board authorized $1000 to be deposited in an account at Sunair Aviation in Leesburg for Emily's use toward flight training.
About Emily in her own words.
My interest and passion for wanting to be a pilot started when I was twelve years old. It was that first Young Eagles ride I had with Jim Waymire. He allowed me to fly the airplane for a short while, and as soon as the plane landed I knew I wanted to be a pilot. I have always wanted to be a missionary, and after my first flight experience I decided I could combine my passion for flying to be a missionary pilot. I later joined the EAA youth program at the Leesburg airport where we worked on getting a Mini Max back into flying shape after a hurricane had destroyed it. I learned how an engine works, put fabric on wings, put propellers on, and I learned how to use a wide array of tools. I attended the Destination Aviation Summer camp in Lakeland, FL, two years in a row. I have finished the Sporty's Learn To Fly Ground School provided by EAA. I have also been given the opportunity to be a Beta tester for Gleim Ground School so I can have additional teaching and review before I take the FAA Written test.
In other areas, I have been working towards getting my Associates degree as soon as I finish high school. I have taken many college level CLEP tests, college courses, and I am now doing some dual enrollment courses with Lake Sumter State College.
For many years, my hobby has been collecting items for the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes (Samaritan's Purse). Last fall, I had the opportunity to work for two weeks at the Atlanta OCC Distribution center. It was a joy to serve with others and pray for the boxes and those who will receive the boxes. Maybe someday I will be the missionary pilot who will be delivering these OCC boxes to bless children in many different parts of the world.
I also enjoy reading about missionary stories, playing basketball, and playing my keyboard.
Respectfully, Emily
Dana Austin and Nelson Bales present a check for $1000 toward Emily's flight training at Sunair at Leesburg . Her instructor, Spenser Pope, is on the left.
February 25 update from Emily:
I had my last flight lesson a week before Christmas. I have applied to several scholarships to help me pursue my flight lessons. Our EAA chapter Squadron 534 has applied for the Ray Scholarship and hopefully in March we will know if the chapter got the scholarship. In the meantime, I am finishing up my last dual enrollment classes that I need to get my associates degree; while also trying to finish the Gleim online Ground School to prepare me to take the FAA written test this summer. I am still attending the Youth Program at the airport, and I am enjoying learning about the mechanics of aviation. I have also been able to fly on Squadon 534's new flight simulator.
I have won first place for the Voices of Democracy VFW essay competition at the Clermont post, and second place for two different posts. I have planned to use the money that I was awarded to buy myself a LightSpeed headset.
I am also thinking about pursuing a LPN (Licenced Practical Nurse) and maybe an RN (Registered Nurse) licence in order to have a job that would enable me to be able to pay for higher level aviation training and also have the skills to help someone.
I often hear many planes fly over my house, and I think to myself, 'that will be me one day.'
March 15 update from Emily:
I have exciting news for you. Although I will not hear back from EAA if I have gotten the Ray till next month, SunAir Aviation will give me a 4,000 dollar credit so that I can start flight lessons again! I have scheduled flight lessons from April 20th through July 17! I can't wait to start flying again!!!!
February 25 update from Emily:
I had my last flight lesson a week before Christmas. I have applied to several scholarships to help me pursue my flight lessons. Our EAA chapter Squadron 534 has applied for the Ray Scholarship and hopefully in March we will know if the chapter got the scholarship. In the meantime, I am finishing up my last dual enrollment classes that I need to get my associates degree; while also trying to finish the Gleim online Ground School to prepare me to take the FAA written test this summer. I am still attending the Youth Program at the airport, and I am enjoying learning about the mechanics of aviation. I have also been able to fly on Squadon 534's new flight simulator.
I have won first place for the Voices of Democracy VFW essay competition at the Clermont post, and second place for two different posts. I have planned to use the money that I was awarded to buy myself a LightSpeed headset.
I am also thinking about pursuing a LPN (Licenced Practical Nurse) and maybe an RN (Registered Nurse) licence in order to have a job that would enable me to be able to pay for higher level aviation training and also have the skills to help someone.
I often hear many planes fly over my house, and I think to myself, 'that will be me one day.'
March 15 update from Emily:
I have exciting news for you. Although I will not hear back from EAA if I have gotten the Ray till next month, SunAir Aviation will give me a 4,000 dollar credit so that I can start flight lessons again! I have scheduled flight lessons from April 20th through July 17! I can't wait to start flying again!!!!