"Changing Lives Through the Challenge and Freedom of
Flight"
By Maxine Scheer
Two new Able Flight pilots received their wings in a ceremony
today at EAA AirVenture, surrounded by family, friends and the
flight line at AeroShell Square. During June and July, Chris Spaur
of California and Heather Schultz of New Jersey "lived aviation
full time" at an intensive flight training program between Purdue
University's Department of Aviation Technology and Able Flight,
where both Chris and Heather successfully earned their Light Sport
Aircraft (LSA) certificate.
(L-R) Chris Spaur, Heather Schultz
Charles Stites is passionate about this program, and beamed with
pride when introducing the newest able flight pilots. "For
everyone we change with the Able Flight program, they change
another's life", said Stites. "Their family, their employers, and
others they reach out to, who have experienced life changing
physical disabilities."
Jessica Cox
The first person introduced was Sean O'Donnell, one of the first
two Able Flight Scholarship recipients earning a sport pilot
certificate. Sean went on to open his own pilot training program,
Philly Sport Pilot. Another Able Flight alumni introduced was
Jessica Cox. Jessica's remarkable and inspiring story of learning
to fly using only her feet is well known in the aviation community.
She was in Washington D.C. this week and introduced to President
Obama during a celebration of the 20 year anniversary of the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Sean O'Donnell
Bernie Wulle of Purdue Aviation congratulated the two recipients
and gave wings to each Chris and Heather on behalf of Purdue and
suggested Able Flight be looked on as a model to shape the aviation
industry in a positive way that includes everyone.
Chris Spaur was selected by Able Flight as the recipient of Able
Flight's "Bombardier Scholarship" for 2010. Matt Brandon of
Bombardier spoke of how important the Able Flight program is to
Bombardier. Chris' mother, who had flown as a pilot for American
Eagle, pinned on his Able Flight wings. Charles Stites
conveyed that Chris's accomplishment has inspired his mom to return
to flying. Chris, a 20 year-old with muscular dystrophy is one of
triplets, and shares the condition with a sister. "Chris approached
the program with intensity", said Stites, "and has come back to ask
what he could do for others."
Heather Schultz Recieves Her Pin
Heather Schultz received the "Jet Aviation Scholarship" that
also supported her through her LSA certificate, issued eight days
ago. Jet Aviation representative Robert Siedel pinned the
Able Flight wings on Heather. "This is a tremendous
accomplishment," said Robert, who conveyed how proud Jet Aviation
is in supporting Heather. Jet Aviation was noted to be one of the
first sponsors of Able Flight. Heather sustained a C5 spinal cord
injury diving into a swimming pool in 2006. Since then, she has
faced more than three years of intensive physical therapy and has
defied the predictions of doctors who had told her she would never
walk again.
Chris Spaur Pinned By His Mom
There were many other sponsors to thank including King Schools
for supplying Sport Pilot knowledge course (ground school) which
they completed at home prior to flight training. Other sponsors and
supporters present at the ceremony included Cessna and Hansen Air
Group. Cessna's Bob Stangarone described Able Flight as, "one of
the best organizations we support." Jet Aviation's Robert Seidel
referred to Able Flights Charles Stites as "one of the best people
I've ever met. There are watchers and there are doers," said
Siedel, "and Charles is definitely a doer."
Presentation By Charles Stites
Able Flight's mission is to offer people with disabilities a
unique way to challenge themselves through flight training, and by
doing so, to gain greater self-confidence and self-reliance. Able
Flight was created by pilots who believe that the life-changing
experience of learning to fly is best shared, and designed the Able
Flight Scholarships to enable people with disabilities to pursue
that experience.
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