Congratulations to Gustave “Gus” Steffen, EAA 1262111, on his first solo flight!
“As far back as I can remember, I’ve had a fascination with flight, but it wasn’t until 2017 that I really got involved with aviation,” Gus said. “My family started attending build sessions at the downtown (Wausau, Wisconsin) airport, and on one of those evenings, I got a Young Eagles ride. The experience was unforgettable. I went up in a silver Ercoupe, right at sunset. I remember feeling the plane accelerate down the runway, and for the first time, I flew. From that time forward, I wanted to fly planes for myself.”
Gus has now been part of his local EAA chapter, 640, for two years, and participating in the Learn, Build, Fly program. On Saturday, April 8, Gus received the exciting news that he had been selected for the Ray Aviation Scholarship program.
“Before I got this scholarship, I wanted to start flight training, but I didn’t have the funds yet,” Gus said. “I had a personal savings account, but it wasn’t going to be enough. My parents were willing to help me cover the costs, but it was still a big financial commitment to get into. When I heard I got the Ray scholarship, I was able to start training almost immediately. I was so excited. With the Ray scholarship, I was able to start training before getting into adult life, giving me the time to actually get it done.”
Gus said his ground instructor for the Learn, Build, Fly program, Tom Wood, EAA 1120954, has been very helpful to him throughout his flight training.
“He has invested a lot of time into me and a couple of other aspiring pilots,” Gus said. “His help has been a huge benefit, giving me familiarity with topics I’m going through in my flight training.
On August 10, his hard work paid off and Gus conquered one of his biggest milestones in flight training yet — his first solo flight!
“I was nervous and shaky, but excited,” he said. “I taxied to the runway with a taildragger in front and behind, so I had to wait before I could get on the runway. Once the first one was far off the ground, I called on the radio and rolled out. I ran through the takeoff checklist one last time and took a moment to stare at the runway numbers. I made sure I was pointed straight and fully committed to the flight by easing in the throttle. The airspeed rose to 55 mph, and I zipped into the sky. I sang a little song in my nervous ecstasy, and I hoped no one could somehow hear me on the radio. On downwind, I was thinking of how I really did it. I really could fly a plane. On final, I got ready to land and made another radio call. I saw [my CFI] Tyler on his motorcycle, near the end of the runway as I came lower. I came down a little fast, so I bounced the plane. When I settled back down and came to a stop, I sat back and smiled. I made it.”
Gus hopes to take his checkride in late September. After earning his certificate, he said wants to pursue his tailwheel endorsement and instrument rating!
“I haven’t decided whether to pursue aviation as a career, but I plan on staying involved in my EAA chapter,” Gus said. “Since I was inspired to become a pilot by a Young Eagles ride, I would like to give those someday as well. The general aviation community is thriving in Wausau, and I’d love to be a part of it for years to come.”
Gus said his favorite part about flying is the people.
“My favorite part of flying has been the experiences I’ve had flying with other people,” Gus said. “I wanted to be able to give others the wonderful feeling of flying, as well as hopping over to nearby airports with friends.”
Congratulations from everyone here at EAA, Gus! The sky is the limit!
Have you reached a milestone recently? Passed a checkride, given your first or hundredth Young Eagles flight, flown your homebuilt for the first time? Tell us about it at EAA.org/Submissions.