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Charles Stites

2022 Was A Great Year

Able Flight’s “Class of 2022” with their instructors at Purdue University

As the end of 2022 approached, we looked back to see how well we met our goals. That’s something we do not only to gauge our effectiveness in meeting our mission, but to help us prepare for 2023:  what did we do well, and what can we do better?

To understand how effective our program was in 2022, it’s helpful to start with the basic numbers, and then to look deeper into how those achievements translate into real change in the lives of those served by Able Flight.

When we planned for 2022, our goal was to award eight scholarships, and that’s exactly what we did. We accomplished this with the help of  outstanding partners, supporters, and friends, and now we’re looking ahead to even greater success in 2023.

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Pilot Wings For The Class of 2022

New Able Flight pilots, instructors and sponsors at Wings Ceremony at EAA AirVenture

For our newly graduated pilots, it is a special day each year when they are brought onstage at Able Flight’s Wings Pinning Ceremony at EAA AirVenture. They are VIPS as family, friends and Able Flight sponsors gather to celebrate their success.

This year’s class of six finished their training at Purdue in early July and just over three weeks later they traveled to Oshkosh for the ceremony. New Able Flight pilots Ryan Chen, Stephanie Cibello, Nathaniel Miller, Chris Murad, and Chance Field were on hand, and also honored was Andy Burnett who couldn’t make it to the ceremony. [Read more…] about Pilot Wings For The Class of 2022

2021 Training Underway

Able Flight’s “Class of 2021” at Purdue with their instructors

After a year of delay caused by the pandemic, five students of the Able Flight “Class of 2021” arrived at Purdue University on May 22, and by the next day, most were in the air for their first lesson.

Attending training at Purdue are David Snypes, Jr, Peyton Wolter, Sheila Xu, T’angelo Magee, and Michael Price. Each student is paired with an instructor dedicated to them, and instructors for 2021 include Zach Hill (Lead Instructor), Nicolas Kass, Colleen Finnell, Steven Stoyko and Aaron Wall. Also assisting is Lucero Duran who has been a key volunteer instructor for more than five years.

Shortly after meeting their instructors, the new student pilots attended orientation, covering topics such as safety practices, communications, aircraft fueling, and for those who use wheelchairs, how to transfer from chair to plane.

Strong health safety protocols are being adhered to both at the airport and in the dorm housing the students, and almost all students and instructors have been fully vaccinated.

By the end of their first ten days, as a group this year’s class had already logged over 71 hours in the air, and as least as many hours of ground instruction, and they are well on their way to first solos.