Flying lessons offer student chance to spread her wings

In a T-shirt, shorts and Toms, sophomore biology major Haley Jandrlich looks like the average GCSU student. Jandrlich lives in the residence halls, takes a full load of classes and works hard to “keep HOPE alive.” You may have sat beside her in class, stood in line with her at Sodexo or walked past her downtown. Jandrlich is like any other student, except for a secret only a few people know about her . Haley Jandrlich can fly.

With approximately 20 hours left to earn her pilot’s license, Jandrlich has been taking flying lessons from Milledgeville Aviation, Inc., at the Baldwin County Airport for about six months. Jandrlich flies a Cessna 172 Skyhawk, which according to the Cessna Aircraft Company is the “the best-selling, most-flown airplane ever.”

“(Flying) is my vice,” Jandrlich, who lives in Adams Hall, said. “Whenever I’m focusing on all the instruments and my direction ahead, there’s no other room to think about all the worries I have on land. Flying gives me a break from the hustle and bustle of my college life.”

Jandrlich began her training last March when her father, who also flies for a hobby, found out about the small airport and asked if she was interested in taking lessons. This sparked an interest in Jandrlich that had yet to be ignited. Now, flying is a passion and privilege for this student. Although her father is the one to thank for starting her special hobby, Jandrlich has her own reasons for flying.

“For relaxation, even though it’s a pretty tense thing when you’re landing or taking off. (Also), you don’t come across many people that fly, so it’s a pretty unique thing to have ‘under your wings,’ ” she said chuckling. “(I can) relax in the air because there are no distractions. You can really think about what’s going on in your life.”

Each lesson begins with the preflight inspection. Jandrlich walks around the plane checking every part on and in the aircraft to make sure there is nothing wrong, including having enough fuel and oil. Then, she climbs into the plane and taxis to a specific spot on the runway. Once in place, Jandrlich identifies herself on the radio, what she wants to do and which direction she is going. This allows other pilots to be aware of her location once she is in the air.

In flight, Jandrlich practices turns, stalls and instrument training (reading the altimeter, compass and gauges). With half of her training complete, the next step for Jandrlich is flying cross-country. First, she will fly at least 50 miles round-trip, called short cross-country. Then, she will have to fly long cross-country which is at least 150 miles round-trip. Cross-country improves directional and endurance skills. Once cross-country training is complete, Jandrlich will fly solo; the last step before receiving her pilot’s license.

One person who has been with Jandrlich every step of the way is instructor Charles Stanley. Stanley has been flying for over 36 years, including service in the U.S. Army. He also periodically shoots aerial photography and has taught for 12 years at Milledgeville Aviation, Inc.

“(Haley’s) doing well.” Stanley said. “I would say probably a little better than average. She said her dad flew so that may have given her a little bit of prior knowledge of what goes on in an airplane. I don’t know, but she’s doing well and I think she’s going to do real good.”

In his time as an instructor, Stanley recalls having about five or six female students and in his 36-year flying career, he has only known around 10 to 12 female pilots, he said.

Being one of very few females to fly at the local airport does not bring Jandrlich down.

“It’s pretty awesome when I only see older guys at the airport. Then, when I go up in the air and I hear another female pilot in the radio, I get really excited; not for myself, but for the fact that there are other female pilots.”

A goal of Jandrlich is to fly herself to different destinations that can only be reached through a plane or boat. This local Amelia Earhart already has a list of places she wants to go which includes Tangier Island, Va., and Cedar Key, Fla. However, until Jandrlich earns her pilot’s license, she must stay confined to the remote practice area southeast of the airport.

As of now, the most memorable experience Jandrlich has had flying was this past summer with her father.

“Going up with my dad for the first time since starting my lessons. I don’t remember flying with him before, because I was so little,” Jandrlich said. “Since he has a different type of plane than what I fly, we interchanged being pilots when we were in the air. It was fun being able to experience something we both enjoy together.”

Although the training is long and the journey can be turbulent, the rewards of flying emerge in each take-off and remain after each landing.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 9 2009. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry