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As America’s premier fraternal organization of military pilots, the Daedalians
perpetuate the legacy of Billy Mitchell and the earliest military Airmen.
Today, the Daedalians promote aerospace education to maintain America’s freedom through air and space supremacy while encouraging young people to pursue careers in military aviation.
Ramstein’s Billy Mitchell Flight continues this mission by providing scholarships to high school students and providing quarterly aviation incentive flights to deserving young Airmen.
Airman 1st Class Cory Rodriguez, 86th Munitions Squadron, was the latest recipient of the Daedalians Aviation Incentive Fight Award April 14. He received one hour of flight time in a Cessna 172 aircraft provided by the Coleman Aero Club, the last military aero club in Europe.
Airman Rodriguez is currently pursuing a bachelors degree in professional aeronautics through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
“I joined the military as a stepping stone to achieving my lifelong dream of becoming a military pilot,” Airman Rodriguez said. “This opportunity offered by the Daedalians will definitely serve as a positive motivator for me, and I firmly believe it will be an experience that will help keep me focused on achieving my goal of being an Air Force pilot. The Air Force has opened so many doors for me through on- and off-duty education, but hands-on experiences such as this will prove invaluable toward achieving my dream of flight.”
During his one-hour flight, Airman Rodriguez took the controls of the Cessna 172 and performed basic maneuvers like climbs, descents and turns. He even flew most of the final approach to the runway at Ramstein.
“It was great. I’ve always wanted to know what it was like to fly an airplane. This experience is a definite motivator to me and will help me continue on to my goal of becoming a pilot,” said Airman Rodriguez.
“A1C Rodriguez did a fantastic job today, he’s a natural pilot,” said Lt. Col. Rich Radvanyi, pilot and president of the Coleman Aero Club. “The Coleman Aero Club is proud to be a part of this team with the Ramstein Daedalians Billy Mitchell Flight. Being able to offer this type of incentive to our young Airmen is one of the advantages to having an aero club around.”
If you are the supervisor of a sharp Airman who is interested in pursuing a career as a military pilot, check with the Ramstein Daedalians to see how you can nominate them for this quarterly aviation incentive flight award. You can send them an e-mail at Daedalians@ramstein.af.mil.
For more information about flying in Europe and earning your own pilots license, check out the Coleman Aero Club website at www.colemanaeroclub.com.
(Courtesy of Coleman Aero Club)
