"It’s A Family Affair”
When Dan and Rachel walked into our FBO, I quickly realized that they were a very special father and daughter pair. What made them unique, aside from the great rapport they seemed to share, was that Dan wasn°t just supportive of his daughter’s dream to fly, but he was experiencing it with her. After their former flight school had shut down, they were looking for new instructors. My husband and I eagerly took on the challenge, with John instructing Dan and myself instructing Rachel.
Dan was raised near Lorning Air Force Base, with a daily ritual of B-52s and fighter jets flying overhead. Flying was his boyhood dream, but with a significant lack of confidences or finances, that’s all it remained. That all changed at age 49, when Dan’s youngest 15-year-old daughter expressed her own dream to fly. After all, there’s nothing like a child’s dream to make a father stand up and say ... °Let°s go for it.°
In Dan°s words:
I remember Rachel saying; "Dad, I'd really like to be a jet fighter pilot for the Air Force and someday be a General....Do you think I have what it takes"? As a dad, there is only one way to answer that question! One week later, Rachel and I found a local instructor who took us up for an introductory flight. When I saw my little budding General get out of that plane, the decision was made. We started the very next week with ground school, and made the agreement that we would stay in lock step with each other as buddies. I was amazed that Rachel, at such a young age, would stick through the process of ground school just in hopes of getting into the cockpit for real. We both took the written exam on the same day, and with tears of joy celebrated our passing scores with a massive steak dinner.
We made minimal headway through the seemingly endless rainy summer, but again I was amazed that Rachel was sticking with it. Our initial goal was to have her solo on her 16th birthday in October. Nearing that date, though, scheduling conflicts became problematic and we decided to search out a new flight school.
Southern Maine Aviation in Sanford turned out to be a great fit for several reasons:
• Female flight instructor, with a PhD in Physics...
Rachel immediately connected with Sue.
• We could both fly at the same time since there were two excellent instructors and two C-172s available at the same time.
• Weekends are available.
• The instruction process was well coordinated and clear.
• The planes are in great shape & managed through a professionally
operated FBO.
• Instructors are exceptional teachers, & patient mentors......
very important attributes in a tough learning environment
such as a cockpit.
After taking a few months off we started lessons at Sanford. The hiatus and stormy spring weather set us back a little, but with our patient and understanding instructors, we gradually made headway back toward soloing.
The day of the solo was a surprise to both Rachel and me. After a series of stop-and-goes, John asked if I thought I was ready, and I replied with a strong affirmative. Unbeknownst to me, Rachel was asked the same question, but she hesitated and answered...."I am not sure."
So, off I went and Rachel went into the FBO. Turning back toward me, she noticed me taxiing off alone in my plane. I noticed her eyes and look of incredulous unbelief. That was all she needed. Rachel went back inside and told Sue °I'd like to solo.° I was focused on the moment and having a great time. After two landings with no nerves whatsoever, I started taxiing back for a third takeoff when I heard a radio call °Hey, Dad.°
My response:...."Ah, where are you?" To my amazement, she was in the C-172 ahead of me about to cross the threshold for takeoff....solo! After I got over my nervousness for her, I settled in for another takeoff and landing behind my daughter... what a thrill. Then I shut down and got out to watch her make her two final landings.
There are few things in life that bring tears of joy to my eyes, but as a dad, encouraging and watching my aspiring little general go through this process is rewarding to say the least. We know we have a long way yet to go before we get to the Private Pilot License, but I suspect the real fun is about to start.
To an instructor, every solo is special. But watching Dan and Rachel that day was one of the most memorable events in my life. It occurred to me that my husband and I were sharing something special, just as Dan and Rachel were, and reminds me why I love flight instruction.
Authors are Sue Tholen Instructor and Dan Cote Father