VNY PROP HELPS BARRY SCHIFF PUT HIS OWN MONEY ON THE LINE FOR SOLO FLIGHT SCHOLARSHIP
10/25/11 - Aviation writer and retired airline captain Barry Schiff hadn't imagined the buzz he would create when he offered $3,000 of his own money to underwrite the start of flight training for some aspiring young pilot. He made this offer in his monthly column in this past October's issue of AOPA Pilot magazine and invited others to join in this "Solo Scholarship" program to encourage young people to pursue their dreams of flight. To apply for the scholarship, Schiff wrote, contestants ages 16 through 20, inclusive, must submit to him a 500-word essay on why he or she wants to become a pilot, with a cut-off deadline of December 15, 2011.
Already, he has received several dozen essays. More than that, he has received checks from individuals, along with the offer of assorted aviation equipment and supplies from a variety of manufacturers and providers, all who are eager to participate in the scholarship program.
Schiff, a pilot with 28,000 hours of flight time in 325 types of aircraft, said he wanted to "pay it forward" by enabling young people to discover the joys of aviation. At the same time, he wants to address the problem of declining starts for new pilot training. "Not enough young people are getting involved in aviation. We can debate the reasons for this, but whatever they are, I'd like to help overcome that in some way," said Schiff. "I hope to help a few more kids get into flying, those who otherwise might not have the opportunity...and they're going to love it! It's more than giving kids a ride in a plane. It's giving them an opportunity to take the controls and actually envision an amazing career in the sky."
Administering the program and overseeing the disbursement of funds is the Van Nuys Propeller Aircraft Association. Anyone who wants to make donations in support of the Solo Scholarship Program is encouraged to contribute any amount, large or small. Checks should be made payable to VNY Prop at 16644 Roscoe Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91406. The winning students -- and there likely will be several -- can choose any flight school in the country at which to take lessons.
"We have an opportunity to show the industry that we can do something about the impending pilot shortage," said Elliot Sanders, immediate past-president of VNY Prop. "Barry is a man who has seen it all, and now he's stepping up to the plate to address the problem, and we want to join him. This really should be a group effort of airport operators, of airlines, of aviation associations, and all those who have a stake in our having enough pilots to fill the pipeline just a dozen or so years from now."
Commenting on the reaction to his article in AOPA Pilot Magazine, Schiff said, "I've yet to hear from the airlines, aviation industry officials and politicians who I know read my column. So far, all of the money that's being sent to supplement the scholarship is from people I don’t know; they're coming out of the woodwork to help. I'm hoping the industry, which needs these pilots and likely won't have them in the not-too-distant future, gets the message."
Contestants wishing to enter the competition must go to www.barryschiff.com and click on “Email Barry” to submit their essays.
back
_______________________________________________________________
LAWA TO STUDY GIVING VAN NUYS AIRPORT AUTONOMY
(Reprinted from the Daily News - by Rick Orlov, Staff Writer) With San Fernando Valley activists feeling the city ignores or misunderstands their concerns about Van Nuys Airport, the City Council on Wednesday approved a study looking at creating a separate commission to oversee the facility.
Currently, Los Angeles World Airports and the Board of Airport Commissioners oversee Van Nuys, along with Los Angeles International and Ontario International airports.
"Los Angeles World Airports staff has focused on LAX with Van Nuys Airport receiving little if any attention over the years," said Don Schultz, a longtime community activist. "Look at the years it has taken to finalize a simple project such as the Propeller Park.
"Ontario International Airport has also voiced deep concerns as to how LAWA staff has ignored their needs and they are pursuing becoming the masters of their own destiny through the state Legislature by divorcing themselves from the LAWA family."
A separate Van Nuys operation would allow LAWA to deal solely with LAX issues, Schultz said.
Councilman Tony Cardenas said many other residents who live in the area feel the same way.
"This airport is an asset for the city and is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country," Cardenas said. "We have to make sure that it continues to thrive."
The proposal asks LAWA to report back in six months on three options for the airport, including plans for greater community oversight, creating a separate commission or the possibility of turning over the airport to private operators.
Wayne Williams, a member of the Van Nuys Airport Advisory Council, said he believes there needs to be more attention paid to recommendations made by the advisory panel.
"I think we have a very good panel these days, one that represents all interests at the airport from propellers to jets as well as the community," Williams said. "I'm not sure we need a separate commission as much as a way for our recommendations to be heard and acted on.
back
|
"Lock Up Look Out." That's
the new message from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
(AOPA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA),
to pilots and others in the general aviation (GA) industry.
AOPA and the TSA have once again teamed up to completely update
the highly successful AOPA Airport Watch program, providing
tips on keeping their aircraft and airports secure to every
pilot in the country.
"Airport Watch works. We know it. The TSA knows it,"
said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Now we1ve completely
updated the program, incorporating all we1ve learned since
it started nearly four years ago."
Fashioned after the successful neighborhood watch program,
AOPA's Airport Watch calls on pilots, aircraft owners, business
owners, and others who are regularly at their local airport,
to be the eyes and ears needed to keep that area secure. The
program also encourages pilots to lock their airplanes and
hangars after each use, and ask others to do the same.
AOPA's Airport Watch encourages anyone who notices something
suspicious to report it by calling the toll-free hotline,
866-GA-SECURE, or 911 if immediate response is needed. 866-GA-SECURE
is staffed 24/7 by TSA employees, and each incident that is
reported is investigated.
"Airport Watch is a simple, cost-effective program that
works at all airports," said Boyer. "If eternal
vigilance is the price of freedom, then we1re taking this
opportunity to remind pilots to protect their freedom to fly
by keeping a watchful eye on their local airports."
As part of the updated program, AOPA and TSA this week mailed
a letter, brochure, and Airport Watch decals to every pilot
in the country. In addition, airport managers, state aviation
directors, select state legislators, and many FAA offices
will receive a training DVD about Airport Watch and are asked
to promote the program.
For more information, go to www.aopa.org/airportwatch
back |
