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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 29, 2015)
24 Wednesday, July 29, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon BENSON: SHS program offers head start into aviation. Continued from page 1 engaging guest speakers, and flights in private aircraft. Sis- ters Eagle Airport supports the Flight Science program by hosting Young Eagles flights, where local pilots donate their time and aircraft to give stu- dents rides. “It’s a different kind of class at school. You get on a bus and go see a warbird museum and tour an airport control tower. You get to lis- ten to guest speakers who were Blue Angels or SR-71 spy plane pilots. And you get to fly in a private airplane, and the pilot lets you take the con- trols,” said Benson. “Then you begin to understand how flight actually works. You can look out the window and watch how the ailerons are moving as you feel the plane turn.” The second component to earning a private pilot certifi- cate is flight instruction in an airplane. Benson began tak- ing flying lessons with Brian Lansburgh, an FAA Certifi- cated Flight Instructor (CFI), during her sophomore year. She has logged just over 100 hours of dual instruction time, developing proficiency in all areas of flight, includ- ing navigation, night flight, various take-off and landings, emergency procedures, cross- country flights, radio com- munications and instrument operation. Once she mastered the con- trol and maneuvering of the plane, Benson was eligible to fly solo. FAA requires student pilots to be at least 16 years old to solo. Benson turned 16, got her driver’s license, and soloed an airplane all in the same month. The final and most daunt- ing portion to becoming a pilot is the oral and practical tests, known as the “check ride.” An FAA Designated Examiner conducts the tests to assess the student’s knowl- edge and safety of flying an aircraft, and typically takes 6-7 hours. Students must be 17 years old in order to take the check ride. If the examiner determines the student is pro- ficient in knowledge and in- flight skills, the private pilot certificate is awarded. The new pilot is then allowed to fly without an instructor, and can carry passengers. Benson took her check ride with an FAA examiner last Saturday at Sisters Eagle Airport. The oral portion of the exam lasted 4-1/2 hours. When asked what subjects the questions covered, Benson replied, “Just about everything I learned in ground school and flight lessons. I think he was extra-thorough since I am only 17. But I studied for it, so I felt well-prepared.” Next came the practical part of the exam. The student must perform a complete pre-flight safety check of the plane, and produce documen- tation as to the air-worthiness and current inspections of the aircraft. Then the student and the examiner fly together, where the student must dem- onstrate various maneuvers and safe operations of the air- plane. Benson’s check flight took 1-1/2 hours. “He had me plan a cross- country trip where the first leg went to the Bend airport. We did several landings at Bend, where there were many other photo by Jerry baldock Young outlaws learned how to play safely and effectively in a football camp featuring notables from across oregon last week. Julia Wieland WielandTSmith Smith L L.Ac., Ac LMT Greg Wieland L.Ac. Delicious Grab & Go Lunch Selections! 521T523T1523 Wraps • Salads 352 E. Hood Ave., Ste. E ACUPUNCTURE • HERBOLOGY • MASSAGE NUTRITIONAL COUNSELING 541-549-0527 • 273 W. Hood Ave. Breakfast 6-11 | Lunch 11-2 daily | Buy coffee at SistersCoffee.com G SER V IC N I N A E ES Specializing In: CL Every bike inside the store on sale! Windows & Screen Cleaning Houe & Rental Cleaning Construction & Deep Cleaning Rentals & Repairs Gutter Cleaning Parts & Accessories Clothing • Maps Free estimates! 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As he signed off Benson’s certificate designat- ing her as a licensed private pilot, he exclaimed, “Even experienced pilots have diffi- culty landing in a strong cross- wind, much less a 17-year-old student pilot! That was a great demonstration of her skills, and made my job easy.” I NSURED , L ICENSED & B ONDED JEFF BLAKE • 541-549-0897 Hope for a child. Change for a nation. 50% OFF Need a book for that summer reading? ANYTHING YOU CAN CLEAN WITH BOOKS 1/2 PRICE! 541-549-1740 Time to p! clean u 541-549-1621 141 W. Main Ave., Sisters 254 W. Adams Ave., Sisters Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Donations accepted Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Donations accepted Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $35 a month. All the difference in the world. Sponsor a Ugandan child with a local organization at HopeAfricaKids.com This ad sponsored by The Nugget Newspaper.
