Thread: Got to start them out young...

My girl Rina (almost 15) has been raving about becoming a fighter pilot for the IAF as long as she (or anyone else for that matter) can remember. She is almost at the age where she can start taking flying lessons and by the looks of it, she will get her license soon enough .

This term in school she brought in a super nice 92 point average on her report card which merited a spin in a Twin Astir soar plain. Here she is getting strapped in and getting ready to be towed up...










and back for a perfect landing

That's the right way to go!
Looks like a really fun day for her! Ad it is a really good thing to fly a bit before trying out for IAF. At home in Norway I know that the majority of the guys/girls accepted to the airforce has got some flying experience before they try out, so it seems to be a major advantage.
I don't know about the rules in Israel, but in the US you gave to be 17 to get your private pilot license, 16 for a glider license. You have to be 16 to fly solo in a motorplane during training and 14 to fly solo in a glider.

She must really have enjoyed it! I had my first flight around that age and still remember the thrill.
I hope she reaches her goals and gets to fly a fighter sometimes soon!

You can get your "aircrew" card at 15 here, and start lessons. you can Solo any type of craft at 17 - but due to the 24 month restriction between the time you can start to fly and the time you can start to solo it does not leave too much room for advancement beyond a single engine or a sailplane.

HOWEVER I think that learning "energy management" on a sailplane before getting on a rig with it's own thrust makes for better piloting - especially if one intends to handle very small very fast jets in the end.

Being a woman she is less likely to be accepted to IAF fighter pilot school than the boys, and even if she does get into the program she would have a very bumpy road to go through with many sexist oriented hurdles to jump before she gets near a fighter Jet. - But it's always nice to have a dream.

Regardless... She had a great time and so did we.

that's pretty cool

Good for her! If it is her dream (as it was mine), then she could be well on her way. Tell her not to let anyone steal her dreams.

I soloed at 16, served in the military, have been with three different airlines, and now am heading towards retirement. I have never worked a day in my life. It is not work, it is a passion.

Now at my age I retort: "All my life I've wanted to fly, now I fly all my life."

I've never regretted a single hour.

Good for her! Looks like a good time and some greater memories!

Great pictures!

I'm sure she will get to her dreams with you guiding her along the right roads.

Definitely awesome! I took a year of flying lessons when I was 16 and absolutely loved it.

For those of you who are not familiar with the capabilities of an engine-less craft such as this - here is a neat clip:

YouTube - Aerobatic Gliding