Burt Compton - Marfa wrote:
Young Jonathan Aronoff worked for me at "Miami Gliders" starting at
age 11.
Worked Hard. Learned to Fly.
Soloed my Blanik glider on his 14th birthday, February 14, 2001.
Soloed my Cessna 150 airplane at Marfa, Texas on July 5, 2004.

Eight years after that first solo, 2nd LT Jonathan Aronoff graduated
from the US Air Force Academy on May 27, 2009.

I'm mighty proud.

I have attempted to mentor hundreds of youngsters over the past 42
years of flying gliders. Most never follow through no matter how hard
you try. Too many distractions these days. But when you find the
ONE, that kid is GOLDEN, so look for those (few) motivated kids, the
ones with the "please teach me to fly" look in their eyes. Recognize
that look, then give them work to do at the gliderport -- wash the
towplane, help with maintenance, wrangle gliders and ropes. Make them
work for it but make sure they fly every day. Help them absorb the
knowledge and skills over time, and they will be our next generation
of soaring pilots.

Burt
Marfa, Texas USA
www.flygliders.com

Brings a tear to my eye! Where were you when I was 14? I can't
complain, though...I started to fly at age 15 and soloed our Cessna 140
at age 16. I discovered gliders in England and hope to add my glider
rating one of these summers...maybe THIS summer. Who knows how many
"summers" I have left

You sound like on helluva guy, Burt! Hope to meet you in person one of
these days...

Scott
Bloomer, WI