BRAD JONES FIRST SCHOLARSHIP WINNER TO EARN LICENSE!
Marietta, GA (June 27, 2007)
Flying the specially-adapted Sky Arrow provided by Hansen Air Group, Brad logged just over 25 hours of instruction before his checkride with examiner Ben Methvin, Jr. Methvin indicated the results of the Reflecting on his accomplishment, Brad said, “It has boosted my confidence and what I feel I can do. Life is challenging for me every day, and I feel now that I am a pilot, there’s nothing that I can’t do. I would say to others in my situation who may consider learning to fly to go for it. It is a challenge, but if you do it, it shows you that no matter what disability you may have, it’s not going to hold you back.”
“I’d like to recognize the contribution of Mike Davidson who volunteered his time off from his airline job to serve with Mitch Hansen as one of Brad’s flight instructors. Brad was quick to tell me that he considers all of the Hansens and Mike Davidson wonderful people, and great mentors. I’d also like to thank Jet Aviation for sponsoring Brad’s training. Bob Seidel, Mike Volpe and Kevin Rodgers of Jet Aviation stepped forward with the resources to provide scholarship funds for both Brad and current student pilot Stephany Glassing, and it is their support of Able Flight that has combined with the Hansen’s to make this milestone day possible.” |
Only a few days after the one-year anniversary of the accident that left him paralyzed, Brad Jones has earned his Sport Pilot license. By doing so, he has become the first Able Flight Scholarship winner to complete his training and earn a pilot’s certificate. After an intensive month-long training course at Hansen Air Group at Cobb County-McCollum Field in Kennesaw, Georgia, Brad’s flight instructors, Mitch Hansen and Mike Davidson recommended him for his FAA checkride and he passed with flying colors. Making the day even more special for Brad was the presence of his parents Debra and George Jones of Ty Ty, Georgia, who were there to celebrate their son’s achievement.
checkride with a smile and a big thumbs up as they taxied in after completion of the flight test. But the overwhelmingly positive result came as no surprise to either Mitch Hansen or Mike Davidson who both had earlier pronounced the 22 year-old as a natural stick and rudder pilot with excellent piloting skills, and possessing the kind of judgment that makes for a good pilot.
Able Flight’s Executive Director Charles Stites was on hand as Brad returned from his checkride, and said, “This is a wonderful achievement for Brad, and a testament to his hard work and dedication. A year ago Brad was in the hospital facing the results of a life-changing accident, and today, he is a pilot whose life has been changed for the better by the challenge of learning to fly. There are many people to thank for making this possible, but of special note are Jon Hansen and his sons Mitch and Mike of Hansen Air Group. Their generosity and dedication to the success of Able Flight has been incredibly gratifying. They are the right people with the right airplane, and most of all, they had an immediate understanding of
how this could work.