LIHU‘E — Three Kaua‘i residents whose essays were selected from 15 responders recently won an hour of flight instruction. Alstan Sa, Alexandra Mink-Flacco and Celeste Infante Papa each received an hour of flight instruction from Kaua‘i’s newest and only flight
LIHU‘E — Three Kaua‘i residents whose essays were selected from 15 responders recently won an hour of flight instruction.
Alstan Sa, Alexandra Mink-Flacco and Celeste Infante Papa each received an hour of flight instruction from Kaua‘i’s newest and only flight school, Kumulani Aviation.
In addition, a young girl and her father received a free half-hour ride with pilot Kevin Britt of Tropical Biplanes.
Kumulani Aviation opened as a flight school in February.
The school held an essay contest last month where students described their passion for aviation and why they would like to learn to fly.
Flight instructor Nick DuBay said students should have a passion about flying, and this was reflected in the essays he received.
It was a difficult choice to narrow it down, he said. The finalists were able to have the experience of handling a plane.
DuBay said the purpose of the essay was to offer an experience that may encourage them to follow their dream of learning to fly.
“The flight is a chance to talk to instructor-pilots who can tell then about flying for recreation or an occupation,” DuBay said.
Mink-Flacco was the most experienced of the three. As a member of Kaua‘i Civil Air Patrol, she has done orientation flights and some ground school, in addition to flying ultralights on O‘ahu.
Her goal is to earn a commercial pilot’s license and fly passengers, cargo or private charter service. She will splurge for occasional air time when it’s possible while paying her way through college at University of Hawai‘i at Manoa in the fall, with plans to apply at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
“I will take free flight time wherever I can get it,” Mink-Flacco said.
“I also wanted to check out this school and see what sort of a thing they are starting up here.”
Mink-Flacco prepared herself by taking honors physics in high school.
She focused intently on the sections on flight engineering.
“I won’t let anything keep me from flying; even if I have to patch together an education at flight schools wherever I am at any given time, I’ll get my license and find my wings,” she said in the essay.
In her essay, Papa said that as a nurse, she is aware of the many medical missions and emergencies that involve flying staff and supplies into remote areas or disaster scenes.
If she was a pilot, she said, it would allow her to participate and make a difference in a new way.
“I could easily and immediately fly to the area affected and lend a helping hand to anyone/everyone,” Papa said. “Anything from giving first aid, a refreshing clean cold drink, food supplies, a hot meal, warm blanket, a warm compassionate, healing touch.”
Papa said that as a person of deep faith, flying is one way to be closer to God’s presence.
Alstan Sa said in his essay that becoming a pilot is his No. 1 goal. He was inspired by a cousin who became a U.S. Air Force pilot.
After high school he began working and saving money for his schooling.
In addition, he also cares for a single mom and is a father himself.
“I still dream about having that chance to go back to flight school,” Sa said. “I want to show my daughter that it’s never to late to chase after your dreams, and to always strive for what you want no matter how high or how far it is.”
Sa said the essay contest again fueled his passion for flying.
DuBay said that to earn a private pilot’s license, students must continue with ground instruction and complete at least 40 hours of total flight time, including 10 solo hours before they can become FAA certified.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
