Joelle Sherbeck

Dear Pat Costello,

Thank you so much for the scholarship. When I was twelve, I fell in love with flying, and now I can’t imagine life without it. Once last year when I went to a 10-day camp not only was I homesick, but even more so I missed flying. Thank you for helping me obtain my dream!

Sincerely,

Joelle Sherbeck

Progress/Achievement: Solo
Date: 2017
Soaring Club of Houston

FAA Knowledge Test
3/17/2018
85%

Walter Young III

Another New Pilot Takes to the Skies at Jersey Ridge Soaring

It is Sunday, July 28, 2019 and it is a beautiful day on the ridges of Blairstown, New Jersey. There is excitement in the air at the Blairstown Airport because today, 16-year-old student pilot and Plainfield New Jersey resident, Walter W. Young III is just arriving for his FAA Private Pilot check ride. It was almost inevitable that this day would come as Walter has been a dedicated student pilot who has been flying since the age of 12 and displays a maturity and love for flying that is above average and beyond his years.

[Walter Young III and Kevin Martin, one of his CFI-Gs]

Walter has flown on an almost weekly basis for the past two years and today his efforts will culminate in the achievement of his private pilot license. As Walter enters the quaint gliderport (nicknamed “The Shack”) where numerous pilots have come before to learn to soar, he is greeted by the warm smiles and encouragement of the wonderful staff and instructors at Jersey Ridge Soaring who have become like a family to him over the years. Walter retrieves the needed documents and materials from his flight bag; gives one final thank you to his instructors Kevin, Mike and Paul and sets off with the FAA examiner, Randy Rickert, to take his check ride. After what seemed like a grueling two hour oral examination, Walter is invited to continue and complete his practical flight test. As Walter lands the glider for the second time a handshake between him and the FAA Examiner resulted in an eruption of cheers and high-fives from all his instructors with shouts of “He did, It!” “He did, it!” And, yes, he did! Upon returning to The Shack Walter was greeted and cheered on not only by dad and instructors, but also by his awesome peers; the other pilots who train at Jersey Ridge Soaring as well.Walter is in the Airforce JROTC program at Plainfield High School in Plainfield NJ, where he currently holds the rank of cadet major and was named cadet of the year for 2019. He has also been recognized by the New Jersey State legislature and the General Assembly through a joint resolution and citation for his flying and civic contributions to his community.

This day shaped up to be a day that Walter (Jersey Ridge Soaring’s newest pilot) would never forget. It became even more special as Walter decided that his first passenger would be his grandfather (Walter W. Young Sr.), who holds a special place in his heart. And, in all the excitement Walter and his family took time out to acknowledge the special people who were instrumental in launching his aviation journey. So, Walter and the Young family would like to give a warm and heart-felt thank you to the Soaring Society of America for their kind and generous scholarship that helped him fund his training; the support of his flight clubs; Aero Club Albatross (ACA) and Black Pilots of America (BPA); his AFJROTC instructors CMSgt. Wilson and MSgt. Eubanks; his peer pilots at Jersey Ridge Soaring who are just awesome friends to fly with; and finally, the tireless, understanding and very professional commitment of his instructors, tow plane pilots, and ground crew staff at Jersey Ridge Soaring who gave him a top-rate flight education experience. And lastly, Ms. Brenda (operations manager) at Jersey Ridge Soaring who made it look so easy as she brought it all together. Thank you.

Walter Young, Jr.

Progress/Achievement: Solo SGS2-33
Date: 9/4/2017
Jersey Ridge Soaring

FAA Knowlege Test Passed
7/16/2018
93%

P/GL Check Ride Passed
7/28/2019