Sunday, January 24, 2016

Fremont Airport (14G) ground school students looking skyward

Tyler Bowes, 20, is lead instructor at the Fremont Airport's Private Pilot Ground School.


FREMONT - Since opening in 1963, area students of all ages and experience have been learning to fly at the Fremont Airport. Now with the start of a new year, another crop of eager future aviators, and a few veterans, are again looking skyward.

But before they get behind the controls and take flight, these students are learning the ins and outs of all the latest federal aviation regulations and aeronautical information in the classroom.

Topics range from aerodynamics, airplane instruments, weight, balance, weather, navigation and more.


This “ground school” is designed to prepare the students with all of the knowledge necessary to ace the written test required for their private pilot license.

It is the eighth year Fremont Airport has held its “Private Pilot Ground School,” and the second with Tyler Bowes serving as lead instructor.

This ground-only class is held in the winter, from January to March, when the Ohio weather is typically less cooperative for student flight time.

Having been flying with the local airport for over six years, Bowes, 20, is a fitting teacher. He went through the class himself many times, first as a student, later as a part-time assistant and eventually moving to the lead.




Rex Damschroder, whose been managing Fremont Airport since 2008, watched Bowes develop his entire piloting career there.

Bowes was certified as a student pilot on his birthday at 16, the earliest age allowable by the FAA. The very next year, he earned his private pilot license, again the earliest he could. The next step was a commercial license at age 18, and an instructor license followed shortly thereafter.

“He’s just been doing a fantastic job,” Damschroder said.

The class is not limited to just newcomers to aviation. Bowes described this year’s class as diverse, having a lot of varying levels of flight experience.

“We’ve got people who’ve never flown on an airplane before,” Bowes said. “And we’ve got people who already have their license. It doesn’t hurt, even if you do have your license, to get some refresher.”

Story and photo gallery:  http://www.thenews-messenger.com

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