Tue, Aug 23, 2011
It should have been a sad, even depressing, duty... to choose
among some hopeful applicants for a scholarship we established in
the memory of someone amazing... and now lost. Instead, it was one
of the most uplifting events of the year... and promises to
continue to be so for a long time to come.
Working through a number of applications from some truly
deserving applicants, the first two scholarship recipients were
decided upon... Kelly Marie Hoffman of San Carlos, CA, and Christy
Lynn Garvin of Powder Springs, GA. Both women provided exceptional
reasons for their selection... though each differed markedly.
In the case of this interview's talented subject, a highlight of
Kelly Hoffman's application package was a recommendation letter
from one of her flight instructors, Airline Capt. (retired) Carl
Mauck... who had, years before, served as Captain to (then) First
Officer Julie Clark. Captain Mauck, has grown to be a solid
proponent of women in aviation... though he wryly noted that he had
much to adjust to when his first officers started showing up
wearing bright red nail polish... Captain Mauck, a veteran of over
47,000 hours, also endorsed Kelly by stating that, "I am amazed at
her flying talent. She is one of the few pilots around that has the
natural ability to do something well,, though she would never admit
to that."
The scholarship program was established in memory of US
Aerobatic Team Pilot and IAC President Vicki Cruse. ANN has
dedicated (and will continue to do so... and more) two $1000
scholarships for the purposes of allowing a Private Pilot to
undertake basic aerobatic or unusual attitude flight training (or
further training for skills already undertaken in that flight
training regimen).
Vicki's own first aerobatic experiences opened up a whole new
world of aviation to her and allowed to seek extraordinary
adventures and achievements that culminated in her becoming one of
the most respected and accomplished pilots in the sport aviation
community. Join us as we spend a little time with scholarship
winner and soon-to-be aerobatic pilot, Kelly Hoffman.
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