Gerold Ellsworth
Takes to the Skies With Student Pilots of All Ages
Gerold Ellsworth has had his “head in the clouds” for over 35 years. He began hi career in Columbus, GA at age 25, where he trained to fly an old Cessna 120 Tailgragger. Since then, he has flown C-45’s, amphibians, and has had a charter service in Beechcraft 99’s and Cessna 421’s. He’s also an old hand at ultra light.
During his military career, Ellsworth was an FAA designated examine for Armed Forces Europe while stationed in Germany and at one time, he did aerial mapping for the Dept of Agriculture. He retired from the military in 1973 as an air traffic controller and began a civilian career as a charter pilot. In 1982, he opened a flight school to do what he likes best -- teaching others to fly.
“It’s a thrilling experience to take someone who has never been in a cockpit and in six months to one year see them become a competent pilot ,“ said Ellsworth.
To date, he has logged over 6000 hours as a certified flight instructor and over 16000 hours as a pilot. Many of his former students now have their own careers in aviaiton flying for all the major airlines. One former student flies an Air Bus in Europe.
“Flying is safer today than ever before,” says Ellsworth. “The planes are better; the pilots receive more training and we’re producing safer, more competent pilots today than we were 20 years ago.”
Ellsworth is proud of having the only flight school, he knows of, that gives a free introductory flight lesson aimed at people who have never flown before.
“This gives them a chance to get in the pilot’s seat; apply the power, make the take-off; do the lift off; and maneuver the plane in the air.” They fly! Of course, the plane has dual controls, and Ellsoworth is able to assist or take over at any time.
Ellsworth says flying should be fun from start to finish. He encourages his students to study but doesn’t push them or pressure them.
His instruction is done in PA-38 Piper Tomahawks, a Beech 19A Instrument trainer, and a Cessna 150 for Private licence. The flights begin and end on the grass strip in Timmonsville, SC, the lessons are taken using the Florence Airport tower and radar.
When you are next outside and look up to see a small airplane whizzing over Florence, it might be 76 year-old Gerold Ellsworth, teaching someone how to fly a plane.
Reprinted Photo & Excerpts of Story By Chad Buffkin