By Wyatt Werner, EAA 1502424
I’ve been in love with aviation since I was in preschool, and though I’m only 17 now, it feels like a long time. My infatuation with aviation began when as a young boy I wanted to become an astronaut, but as I got older my aspirations became more “down to earth.” I went from wanting to become a high-altitude test pilot, to an airline pilot, and finally a general aviation pilot with aerospace engineering as my ultimate career goal. Currently, thanks to the support of my local EAA Chapter 1522 and the Ray Foundation, I am a student pilot working toward my private certificate. However, it wasn’t until my 15th birthday that I had an outlet for my aviation passion; I was gifted Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MSFS).
With a $13 joystick and a laptop I used for 3D design, I was able to experience everything from the thrill of bush trips in a Cub to long-haul flights across the Atlantic in a 747-8. I bought a better joystick with a dedicated throttle quadrant, and then when Microsoft added the F/A-18E Super Hornet to the game, I decided it was time to get a VR headset. I saved up and bought an Oculus Rift S. It was astounding! Never before had I felt so close to actually flying an aircraft. For once I could see the whole instrument panel in the 787 Dreamliner and look over my shoulder in the F-18. I played off and on with the simulator for about a year and a half before actually experiencing the thrill of flying in a small airplane. I knew I wanted to get my private pilot certificate, I just didn’t know how or when that would happen. A friend had recently become involved with EAA Chapter 1522 and invited me to go with him to a meeting. He failed to mention, however, that after the meeting, if the weather is good, Chapter 1522 offers flights to Young Eagles. That day I had my first Young Eagles flight. I flew with the president of the chapter, Gordon Davis, in his RV-7A. After that flight I knew I had to try and get my certificate as soon as possible. During the meeting that day, Gordon spoke about the scholarship program from the Ray Foundation and mentioned they would be taking applications if the chapter was awarded another scholarship. He said that they look for people who have the motivation and ability to get it done. He said that one of the major roadblocks for students is the FAA written exam, and he told the group of youths getting the written portion completed before applying for the scholarship speaks volumes about your motivation and increases your chance of receiving a scholarship. So that’s what I did.
After my Young Eagles flight, I redeemed my free EAA student membership and the Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course. Once I started the course, I realized that I could practice everything I was learning in my flight simulator. I bought a yoke and some rudder pedals, and I started practicing traffic patterns, crosswind landings, cross-countries, dead reckoning, and taxiing. The one thing I couldn’t practice was radio calls. That was of course until I discovered a program called VATsim. VATsim is an online platform that you download and connect to your simulator. VATsim allows you to get live air traffic control. Not like the in-game prompt you get native with MSFS, but traffic control with real people. It was life changing. I could practice everything from non-towered to Class Bravo! They even have live weather and ATIS/AWOS. I also started to learn how to fly IFR flight approaches. It was difficult and slow at first, but all the controllers were patient and talked me through anything I didn’t know. They were open to my questions. After getting the endorsement from Sporty’s, I took and passed the written exam a couple months later. I applied for and was awarded a scholarship through EAA Chapter 1522. When I finally started flight training, the comms were the least of my worries. I knew what to say and when to say it. I knew what they were saying and how to comply. I knew how to get an ATIS, and I had developed a short hand for departure and taxi clearances. I was comfortable and competent on the radios even though I had spent very little time in the actual airplane.
Thanks to the wonderful support of my family, friends, and the amazing people of EAA Chapter 1522, I am pursuing my dream to become a pilot. I also wouldn’t be where I am without being able to fly MSFS and VATsim. What started out as an outlet for my passion for flying turned into one of the greatest resources that has helped and will continue to help me in my flight training. I know when I start my IFR training, I will be able to go home and practice. Not something that you can do very often when learning how to fly.