Mon, Jun 06, 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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