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Neenah, Wis. – March 31, 2006 – “Chris' interest in flying really began from playing Microsoft Flight Simulator. Then he was offered a ride in a small plane from my cousin who is a pilot after meeting him at a family wedding. A couple years after this ride and many hours on Flight Simulator, I heard about The EAA Young Eagles program and arranged a flight for him with Dennis Gillespie in Nov. 2003.
Chris says about that flight, ‘I thought it was very cool to see and feel everything that I had been learning on the simulator. It was very fascinating and I knew I wanted to fly for a career ever since that day.’ Then in the last couple years he also flew (rode along) on occasion with a friend of a friend who is a commercial pilot. This pilot gave us the name of an instructor ( CFI), Kate Bernard, who became his instructor. Kate had just graduated from college and was looking for students. He began lessons in July 2005 with Kate at CAVU Aviation in Green Bay. Chris was her first student. The company is based in Green Bay but the majority of his lessons began at Brenand Airport in Neenah, Wis.
In the last couple of years he was pretty relentless in his search for flying lessons and choosing the right path. Before we got Kate's name, he searched on his own on the internet for flight instructors, researching costs, materials needed, time requirements and different licenses. He talked to anyone he knew associated with flying. Then he got them to talk to me! He checked into the military as an option for flight training but that possibility seemed too far off.
He had his Young Eagles flight in Nov. 2003. At that time Chris had logged 300 hours on Microsoft Flight Simulator. Dennis was awesome - talked to Chris before and after the flight about what it took to be a pilot, safety and weather concerns, etc. Dennis was instrumental in helping Chris along the way. After their Young Eagles flight, Dennis stayed in contact for months with a note in the mail here and there along with a poster or book that kept Chris’ interest. A couple years after the Young Eagles flight we contacted Dennis again for his help to look for an instructor. He took Chris to a couple meetings at EAA - one about the new sport pilot license and another to hear a speaker. Chris did not want to settle for the sport pilot license. Dennis also took Chris to EAA AirVenture for a day last summer introducing him to everyone he could and guided Chris’ purchase for his first headset. They also heard Harrison Ford speak there, the Chairman of Young Eagles. Chris hopes this year to work at EAA during the week of AirVenture!
Chris says, “Young Eagles was a great advantage for me. It gave me an insight into flying that I might never have gotten. If it wasn't for Dennis I might not have known I wanted to fly for a career or started to fly as soon as I did.
Aviation is a bug. If you want to be a pilot, you'll know it. It's either you love it or you hate it. And when you love it you'll know it and that will drive you to strive to be the best pilot possible, to learn as much as you can, to be the best pilot you can. A good pilot is always learning.
Young Eagles is a great opportunity. Take a peek at what it's like to be a private pilot with a Young Eagles flight if you're not sure it’s for you. And if you enjoy that, take a discovery flight which would be your first introductory lesson.”
Chris is a member of EAA and AOPA. His solo flight took place on his birthday with lots of family members present to congratulate him upon landing. His family totally supports his passion for flying and having an aviation career. Chris could talk forever about flying!
Thank you!
Mary (Chris’ mom)
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EAA Young Eagles pilot Dennis Gillespie (left) and Young Eagle Christopher Turke following their flight on November 19, 2003.
Chris waits for his lesson to begin with instructor Kate Bernard in July 2005.
Kate Bernard (left) and Chris before taking off on a lesson.
Chris Turke stands proudly with the airplane he soloed. Congratulations, Chris!
Are you a former Young Eagle who has a story to share? Let us know. What are you up to? How did your Young Eagles experience influence you? Send your letters and photos to the EAA Young Eagles Office.
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