Test Flight

by Mary Burke

Walter “Griffith” Kotlinsky steps into the cockpit of a Schweizer SGS 2-33. For any normal student his age, this would be a unique experience, but for Kotlinski, 15, it’s business as usual.

Over the course of his life, Kotlinski had kept his dream of becoming a pilot. Even before his very first flight at age six, he knew what career he was destined for. He took his first flight in a 1946 Aeronca Champ, a plane designed for flight training.

“I think that was when I decided for sure”, expressed Kotlinski.

According to his instructor, Cathy Williams, “he has loved planes since he was a toddler.”

Kotlinski is currently a member of the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Association based in Fairfield, PA. He also belongs to the Civil Air Patrol, or CAP.

The freshman student has been training to become a pilot since the age of thirteen. So far, he has been able to log in a total of 27 instructional flights, or about 8 hours of flight time altogether.

Despite rigorous training, he is more than able to find joy in his work.

“I have loved every single thing about flying,” he says.

It is rather fortunate that Kotlinski finds joy in work, as the process of his training requires a lot of it.

Williams states that “an extensive knowledge of aerodynamics, weather, regulations, medical factors, efficient flying, sources of lift, safe places to land,emergency procedures, competitive strategies, and so much more is necessary to be an accomplished soaring pilot.”

The work can also be difficult, as well as time-consuming.

“Learning how to use the flight controls is pretty easy,” says Williams. However, “learning to use them safely and efficiently takes hours of practice in the air and many more hours of study on the ground.”

Despite this, Kotlinski remains firm in his desire to earn his license.

His instructor believes that this dedication will pay off in the future, stating that he “has the enthusiasm, maturity, intelligence, self confidence, and motor skills necessary to become a successful pilot.” Despite his busy schedule juggling schoolwork, Boy Scouts, church, CAP, and other community activities, Kotlinski’s “motivation and natural talent have been enough for him to make impressive progress.”

Though he finds his passion in flying and hopes to become a professional pilot, he still holds out  for a call to another vocation.

“I think my career will be something in the aerospace industry”, he says,“unless God calls me to the priesthood”.

Nevertheless, Kotlinski plans to continue to fly for as long as he can, even as just a hobby in the future.

“In any case”, he says, “I expect to be flying gliders and small planes for fun for the rest of my life.”

Williams continues to express her faith in Kotlinski’s flight skills, stating that she is “confident” that he will be “ready to solo before summer.” A “solo” refers to a pilot’s first complete take off, short flight, and safe landing on his or her own.

As such a motivated student, Kotlinski “has what it takes to progress to any flying achievement he desires. Soaring will give him the basic foundation. I hope it will remain his first aviation love as he takes on other flying challenges.”

Kotlinski aims to earn his glider’s license in February 2020, soon after his 16th birthday. A glider is an aircraft that does not depend on an engine to fly. He expects to spend the summer following his sophomore year focusing on earning his powered license. Examples of powered flight include airplanes, helicopters, and gyroplanes.