Features
Flying through school
June 21, 2009 was the first solo flight for senior Daniel Klinefelter.
Klinefelter had saved up for a year to go to the flying school in Kansas. He had saved $8,000 dollars and was on his way toward his private pilot’s license. He moved in with his aunt in Kansas to pursue his dream..
“I had to save up money and take classes, which were ground school and flight lab,” Klinefelter said. “Ground school is more learning the basics of everything and how it works, how maps should be read and how to tell when weather is okay to fly in or not. Flight lab is flying the actual plane and learning different takeoffs and landings.”
Klinefelter became interested in planes ever since he was able to visit his friend at the Des Moines Airport control tower and see how things work.
“This was before 9/11, but I got to talk to the pilots and look at the radars to see how things work and how things get done,” Klinefelter said.
Klinefelter attended Kansas state and began taking classes and flying.
“Flying is stressful. When you first learn how to work things there is a lot to check and get a hang of, we had certain check lists we had to go through, such as talking to the tower and maintain challenges,” Klinefelter said.
On top of being stressful the class involved outside studying as well as in class. It also came with tests he needed to pass in order to get his pilot’s license.
“Every four hours I spent doing work at school; I spent eight hours outside of school working on studying,” Klinefelter said.
” I had to go through third class inspection before I could get it, which is testing sight, if you’re color blind and medical history.”
According to Klinefelter, learning how to fly a plane not only comes with stress but experiences and life lessons as well.
“There was one time when we were landing the plane too fast, we had to push in the breaks hard and the right tire blew out, but technically it’s not considered an accident to them,” Klinefelter said.
Klinefelter also said he gained a new love for mother nature.
“When I was flying the wind amazed me,” Klinefelter said with a smile on his face.
” I learned to pay attention more and always be aware. Decision making was also another big one.” Klinefelter said.
In addition to achieving a goal of his he had a supportive family and friends who supported his decision. It was something Klinefelter wanted to do so he had to reach for the goal by raising the money and taking the responsibility on himself.
“My family was supportive and so were my friends, but it was my goal so I had to do stuff for it myself. I had some people give me crazy looks but I have my pilot’s license and I never gave up,” Klinefelter said.
Klinefelter is proud of himself for accomplishing this goal and does think everyone should do what they dream of. Klinefelter’s dream landed him a Private Pilot’s license July 20.
“There were times I got frustrated and wanted to give up but I didn’t; I kept pushing through,” Klinefelter said. “Sometimes people and things get in the way of your dreams but just don’t give up.”