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Charles Stites

OUT OF LOSS COMES A LEGACY

 

 

To say that Mike Poznansky became a passionate aviator in a short amount of time would be an understatement. Just as he had built a successful marketing business, Mike “built” himself as a pilot. But he didn’t do so in the mechanical sense of building; he did so with a real understanding of what it could do for him and for others.

He dedicated himself to the hard work it takes to make steady progress through earning pilot certificates and ratings, and his success in business made it possible for him to own several very different airplanes. Along his flying journey he had a Cessna 185 on floats, a Piper Super Cub, a Cirrus single and a Cirrus Vision Jet. Early on Mike realized that, as wonderful as it was, flying for himself wasn’t enough, so he charitably offered the use of his skills and planes to nonprofit organizations like Angel Flight and LightHawk.

Mike passed away suddenly in late 2023, and his passing meant the loss of his generous donation of time for a number of aviation organizations. In their grief, the Poznansky family began to plan how to preserve his legacy as a pilot who thrived on giving. They knew that they would find a way to help Angel Flight and LightHawk, and when Mike’s sister Julie came across the story of Able Flight, his mother Linda, father Randy and Julie reached out and an Able Flight scholarship was created in his name. [Read more…] about OUT OF LOSS COMES A LEGACY

Able Flight’s Class of 2025 Will Include its 100th Licensed Pilot

 

As it enters its 20th year with 98 licensed pilots, Able Flight is counting the days until the second member of its “Class of 2025” passes their check ride to become Able Flight’s 100th licensed pilot.

Training for the “Class of 2025” at Southern Illinois University (SIU) will begin immediately after their arrival on campus on May 23rd, where they will spend up to eight weeks in an intensive program before taking their check rides in early July.

Receiving flight training scholarships this year are Ronny Ahmed of Florida, Ryan Berndt of Wisconsin, Brandi Fields of Missouri, Chris Karadjov of California, and Domenico “Nick” Lazzaro of Pennsylvania.

The new student pilots have already received their online ground school course courtesy of Sporty’s Pilot Shop, and over the next three months they’ll prepare for their written exams with the assistance of a live remote instructor from SIU. When they arrive on campus, they will have one day of orientation to meet with their assigned instructor, and then have their first opportunity to fly the adapted Vashon Ranger training aircraft in which they will earn their pilot certificate.

Ronny Ahmed of Florida was a student at Florida State University ten years ago when he and several classmates were spending a late night studying at the school’s library. During a short break, Ronny and a friend stepped outside where a gunman opened fire, striking Ronny twice, leaving him paralyzed. After a period of rehabilitation therapy at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, he became active in an adapted scuba diving program. Eventually Ronny was able to return to school and earn his degree, and he recently became a volunteer instructor, teaching reading skills to disadvantaged youth in Tallahassee. This year, after training to earn his pilot certificate, he plans to enroll in a Masters program at FSU.

[Read more…] about Able Flight’s Class of 2025 Will Include its 100th Licensed Pilot

Able Flight Pilot Chris Sullivan Earns Instrument Rating

Able Flight pilot Chris Sullivan being presented with his certificate for earning his Instrument Rating

On Monday January 13th, Able Flight pilot Chris Sullivan of Louisiana passed his check ride to earn his Instrument Rating. Those who remember his story are well aware of how determined he is when he sets a goal, and how challenging it is for him dealing with the effects of paralysis. Chris served as a Sergeant in the Army and was critically injured when he was shot in the spine while in a combat zone in 2005, and that injury left him a quadriplegic.

He earned his first license through Able Flight after training at Purdue in a Sky Arrow, then his Private on his own. He then added an Advanced Ground Instructor Certificate, and now his Instrument Rating. Chris plans to take his Commercial check ride soon. Making his recent success all the more impressive, this comes after nearly a year spent mostly in bed while recovering from a serious illness.

The Piper Arrow you see behind Chris and the examiner is one Chris bought from Clayton Smeltz, a pilot/engineer who is a paraplegic. Clayton has received FAA approval for adapted controls he designed, installed and tested in several of his own planes, including his own Cirrus Vision Jet.

In 2024, Clayton generously spent a great deal of time creating the adapted hand controls for the Vashon Rangers for which Able Flight raised funds in 2023 and 2024. We have now donated those two Rangers to our training partner Southern Illinois University in return for their long term commitment to train Able Flight Scholarship recipients.

Chris Sullivan’s son Jaxson is now taking flying lessons, and as soon as he is old enough will solo and later earn his Private certificate. He often flies with his dad and assists with loading his wheelchair into the baggage area.

Congratulations Chris!