Youth Activities

SCOH has over ten active members who are in their teens. Some began their instruction at 13 or younger. Fourteen year olds can get a sign-off to solo. At 16 they can apply for a pilot license. Since January, five 14 year olds have soloed. David LaPorte, J.J. De Paep, Mike Sorenson, Matt Sorenson and Joanna Morris have all taken to the sky by themselves. This is a fantastic accomplishment, and everyone at SCOH is very proud of them.

In recognition of these young pilots, the club established the Young Wings Squadron. It recognizes the enthusiasm, eagerness to learn, teamwork, courage, and spirit of adventure that these fellow soaring birds possess. Ten young women and men received their certificates last year.

Some of the young pilots share their flying interest with other family members. Others participate on their own. In all cases SCOH encourages them to make their dreams of flying a reality.

	J.J. De Paep co-ordinates the youth activities for the club. J.J. is an enthusiastic glider pilot who is also learning to fly power. He is usually at the field every weekend, whether it’s to fly or crew. Although he is pictured with the 2-33, his new “ship of choice” is the PW-5 that he and his father recently bought in partnership with John Savage. J.J. turned 16 in April but soloed shortly after his 14th birthday. Young or not-so-young members interested in youth activities should contact J.J. at Jjdepaep@cs.com.
Matt and Mike Sorenson have grown up around sailplanes and other aircraft. They operated the launches at glider contests in many parts of the country. Their experiences in the very intense world of large contests, as well as all their other flying experiences, have given them a background in aviation that few their age have. They trained in the 2-33 and both soloed on the same day. They plan to gain further soaring experience in a 1-34 this year. Dixie, the dog pictured with them, plans to continue to watch them from the ground.
	Here's Val Paget awarding Matt Sorenson the Youth Division trophy for coming in first in last summer's Funtest Spot Landing competition. Contest Director, Clayton Jones, looks proudly on.
	And here are Val and Clayton awarding the second place trophy in the Funtest Spot Landing competition to Ian Bange.
Helen D'Couto is fourteen and has already soloed on her fourteenth birthday.
	Miguel Lavalle Jr. joined SCOH in September of 2003 at the age of 14. He comes from a long line of aviators: his granddad and uncles are airline pilots in Mexico and Taiwan and his dad is a glider pilot. Miguel is planning to go solo as soon as he can and then get his glider pilot certificate the day he turns 16 years old.
Peter Wood from the Isle of Man soloed last year at the age of 14. See a video of Peter's solo here.
Jonathan Ingram competing in the Funtest spot-landing competition in the 2-33.
Ian Bange is pictured with his Russia AC-4, a single place ship. He shares this ship with his father, Brian. He began flying with his father at 13 and by 15 had soloed. Now he enjoys taking the Russia up and developing his skills on longer cross-country flights.
	Jeremy Hicks is pictured with his father after returning from his first solo flight. He first experienced soaring in Hawaii where he was raised. When he and his family moved to College Station, they joined SCOH. Jeremy enjoys the challenges of the Texas sky and soaring in thermals.
David LaPorte and Doug Courville, Chief Flight Instructor, discuss David’s recent solo flight at the SCOH banquet. David became interested in gliders at age 3 when he saw one fly in Hawaii. Now 16, he is developing his piloting skills and, after high school, plans to attend the Naval Academy.