My City August 2022

of students are taught through Crosswinds and supplementally through GFPA membership. After gaining the initial pilot’s license, students and members can add additional ratings and certi cations including instrument rating and commercial licensure. To help make aviation training more aordable, the GFPA has set up Michigan Takes Flight, a 501c3 non-pro t dedicated to awarding the funds needed for a temporary GFPA membership for ‚ight instruction to residents of the Flint area.ƒe non pro t is headed by GFPA members Rick Havourd and Harry Hammond. “General Aviation has fallen by the wayside and most ‚ight schools are out of business,” says Hammond. “We set up Michigan Takes Flight with the goal of educating students for, and getting them interested in, an aviation profession.ƒe scholarship covers the cost ($3,500) of a GFPA membership for the duration of their training.

Once a student moves on, the money becomes available for the next in line. Flight instruction is not inexpensive and the scholarship can help someone get a head start on training.” Careers in aviation include professional pilot, air tra‘c controller, plane maintenance, airport administration, etc. ƒe jobs are open to anyone with interest and drive. For more information, please visit michigantakes‚ight.org. ƒe GFPA is open to established pilots and those willing to take ‚ight for the rst time. Each potential member must ll out the membership application located at gfpa.org listing ‚ight experience, if any. Current pilots who wish to join must apply and if selected by the board, must pass a 1.5-hour checkout ride with an instructor for every plane they desire to pilot. “Every aircraft is dierent and we must make sure you can handle our craft with professional ability,” explains Johnson. 

GFPA PRESIDENT ERIC JOHNSON HAS FLOWN TO AND OVER LOCATIONS ACROSS THE U.S. AND MICHIGAN SUCH AS WYOMING (RIGHT), THE UPPER PENINSULA (BELOW) , SLEEPING BEAR DUNES (BELOW LEFT) AND THE ST. CLAIR RIVER.

59