But It Took Some Effort For Him To Grow Wings
"Pass the 'juice'" is
the term AOPA Project Pilot spokesman Erik Lindbergh uses to talk
about mentoring and the passion that goes along with it. "There is
no higher calling than to pass along the 'juice' that I got from
other people, to get where I am today."
Jeff Myers, AOPA Executive Vice President of Communications made
the call in January of this year to start Lindbergh on the path to
spokesman. Lindbergh did a little more research, and a little more
talking, before deciding. He then realized Project Pilot "fits
right into my story in aviation. I didn't get into aviation because
I was a Lindbergh."
Lindbergh actually got into flying, at age 23, from a friend
"bugging" him. He finally relented... and Lindbergh was
smitten; he "got it."
Lindbergh is passionate about learning, especially flying. He
also knows that it helps to have someone there for you when you're
learning, though he doesn't advocate the "bugging you" method.
"Statistics show that if you have a mentor during your private
pilot license you're three times more likely to get your ticket,"
says Lindbergh. He was ready for spokesman duty.
AOPA revamped and expanded the existing program and rolled it
out with Lindbergh at the AOPA Open House Fly-In back in June.
Project Pilot is designed to help "address the problem of the
declining pilot population, before we become extinct." Said
Lindbergh. Lindbergh has flown several Young Eagles at some day
long events. He's mentored as well but not under the Project Pilot
program. Lindbergh now has "two pilots that I'm going to put
through the program and I'm very excited about that."
What happens if you're a mentor without a "mentee" or vice
versa? Logging into the Project Pilot site and registering
will hook you up with a mentor or "mentee", if there is one
available.
One drawback to the program, at the moment, is participation is
limited to AOPA members only, in the US.
"Obviously AOPA is stronger with more members but we don't want
it to get in the way of having more pilots out there," remarks
Lindbergh. "They've thought it out, so maybe there's a reason."
(Perhaps AOPA would want to consider allowing non-members
access to the educational materials to be able to mentor as well?
There are some extra items mentors and "mentees" receive when they
sign up, that could remain unavailable to the non-members. This
would seem similar to the member and non-member items on the AOPA
home site. -- Ed.)
Lindbergh (above) is loving his spokesman position. "It's one of
the most rewarding things that I've done. Aviation gave me the
juice."
Let's all try to pass the "juice!"