Fourteen-12 months-previous Tehachapi Substantial School freshman Annie Loken concluded her initial solo glider flight on Saturday, Oct. 9 at Mountain Valley Airport in Tehachapi.

Flight teacher Mike Oldershaw has been performing with Annie on the ground and getting her up in the Schweizer 2-33, weekly for the previous seven months to get her ready for her solo flight.

On the big working day, the tow pilot took Annie up to 1,000 ft. Annie released the tow rope, soared in a pattern, and landed easily on the runway. Annie’s parents, a household close friend, and her flight teacher were being on hand to enjoy her total her initially solo flight.

Custom is to douse the new pilot with h2o when she will get out of the glider, and her Father, Resolve Loken, did the honors. Soon after the flight, Annie was able to signal the Brag Board in the flight office.

When requested about the flight, Annie mentioned that she felt well prepared and that the very first solo “wasn’t any diverse than the flights I have been doing with Mike.”

The flight school and airport are owned and operated by Jane and Larry Barrett. The Barretts have welcomed Annie and, previously in the calendar year, awarded her with a $2,000 scholarship to assist her go on her traveling classes. Annie also volunteers at the airport to get paid flight time.

Annie’s mom, Alisha Loken, wishes to thank the Barretts for their guidance and to enable the neighborhood know about the possibility for youngsters to learn to fly at the Skylark North Glider Flight School. Annie needs to continue soaring, get a glider license when she turns 16, and start out classes in motorized planes.

Annie’s love of traveling started out when she attended a community airshow and attempted a flight simulator. Right after that, she was also capable to copilot a airplane in Alaska, flying more than an ice area, and flew in a float aircraft in Seattle. Her other interests involve fishing and taking part in varsity volleyball for the Tehachapi Substantial University Warriors.

Annie volunteers for the Lake High quality Advisory Committee in Bear Valley Springs undertaking drinking water testing and helping with fish and aquatic plant administration….