Written By Ishitha Arekapudi Fourteen years old, fueled by a daunting dream, staring at a world covered in an icy morning rain. That was the reality that greeted me on countless days and early mornings during my glider training. While most teenagers were still navigating the social complexities of school hallways, I was drawn to…
DetailsWritten By Ishitha Arekapudi Flying a glider is about more than just flight, it’s about awareness, skill, and confidence. For women in soaring, we offer scholarships that open doors, no matter your age or experience level. Whether you’ve never been inside a glider before or have taken countless cross country flights, WSPA has a scholarship…
DetailsWritten By Ishitha Arekapudi Flying a glider offers an unmatched way to begin your aviation journey, and many of history’s most famous pilots got their start through glider training! For me, beginning training at gliders at 14, these role models fueled my inspiration to continue on this path of determination and discovery. The stories of…
DetailsWritten By Ishitha Arekapudi Flying a glider means learning how to control an aircraft without an engine. For many young pilots, it’s a great way to start because it teaches strong flying skills early on. Awareness After the glider is released from the tow plane, the noise stops. It becomes quiet, and you start to…
DetailsWritten By Ishitha Arekapudi Recently, I taught a class on becoming a pilot at a young age, and needed to know more about student pilot certificates. It has been almost four years since I have applied for one, and I completely forgot all the necessary steps! In light of this, I found an incredible resource…
DetailsWritten By: Ishitha Arekapudi Earning your glider rating starts with passing the FAA Knowledge Exam, a significant milestone in your aviation journey. When I took my written exam at 14 years old, I used ASA Prepware to study and scored a 96%. Later, I used the same methods for my airplane exam and scored a…
DetailsWritten By: Ishitha Arekapudi When I was 14 years old, sitting in my bedroom research about aviation opportunities, I wish I had stumbled upon a post like this. If you find yourself eager to begin flying and taking advantage of the resources available to you, I hope this article has information applicable to you! 1.…
DetailsWritten By Ishitha Arekapudi As a 17-year-old passionate about aviation, attending the 2024 Soaring Society convention in Tennessee was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I found myself immersed in an inspiring community of seasoned pilots, instructors, and aviation enthusiasts who shared my love for soaring. This event presented…
DetailsWritten By Ishitha Arekapudi The aviation industry is in the midst of a pivotal transformation, driven by technological advancements and increasing global demand. However, this growth is accompanied by a critical challenge—an impending shortage of skilled professionals. From pilots to aerospace engineers, the U.S. aviation sector faces a shortage of thousands of workers. As someone…
DetailsWritten By Ishitha Arekapudi Ever since the sixth grade, I’ve dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Unlike many, my journey didn’t begin with rocket launches or meeting astronauts; it started with a chance encounter. Raised in Ireland until the age of 12, I had little exposure to space exploration. However, moving to Seattle transformed my perspective.…
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