9 features Earth Hour Student pilots soar to promotes astounding new heights global warming awareness March 2009 The Galleon
By ELIANA NEWMAN FEATURES EDITOR
By JENNIFER LIEBERMAN FEATURES EDITOR On Saturday, March 28, major cities around the world will be turning off their power at 8:30 PM According to Earth Hour, this prepared outage will be done to show the world that it is possible to take action against global warming. Earth Hour started in Australia in 2007 as part of a campaign to get residents of Sydney to turn off their lights. During the first Earth Hour, 2.2 million homes and businesses participated. The following year, the movement had spread around the world with up to 50 million people participating in over 35 countries. Global landmarks such as the Colosseum in Rome, The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Coca Cola billboard in New York City were darkened as a symbol of optimism for the increasing urgency of global warming. “I think [Earth Hour] is a good idea. An hour can make a big difference,” senior Nastasia Boutros said. “A single household is nothing, but a whole city will make a huge impact.” “I don’t believe in Earth Hour because everyday should be used to keep the environment clean,”
freshman Max Morgenstern said. “It is important to take care of the environment because it provides protection for us and is where we live.” Earth Hour 2009 will be seen as a call of action to all individuals throughout the world. One of the goals of the event is to have people become more aware of global warming and get involved in working toward a sustainable future. Participants from over 64 countries are planning on taking part in Earth Hour and that number is increasing everyday. “I think [Earth Hour] is a great idea because every second a lot of energy is wasted,” freshman Aaron Blogg said. “An hour can make a big difference.” “For sure I will participate in Earth Hour because if the whole world particiapates, one hour would save a lot of energy,” freshman Joey Goldman said. “People would realize that it could help save the world.” Anyone can get involved in Earth Hour. By either signing up online, telling a friend or planning your own Earth Hour, everyone can help raise awareness of the global problem looming over Earth. Earth Hour is one way to send a message to leading officials that something must be done about the environment. Jennifer Lieberman can be contacted at Jenniferlgalleon@gmail.com photo courtesy of google images
Becoming a pilot means having the necessary qualifications to lead and operate an aircraft, which ultimately involves intense studying, having plenty of courage and remaining steadfastly held onto a goal. Four Spanish River students have and continue to work extremely hard at fulfilling their dreams of flying airplanes for the rest of their lives. The average age of a pilot, according to Air Line Pilot, is 43 years old. At Spanish River, however, students ranging from the ages of 17 to 18 years old are already well on their way to achieving this honorable position. Each student has different dreams, yet all revolve around the same passion: flying airplanes. All pilots must attain certain skills to excel at flying, regardless of what they intend to do with their abilities. They must pass various exams to attain different licenses, including written exams and practical exams, which include actual flying tests with a flying examiner. It takes a minimum of about 6 months to complete private pilot training. Pilots must learn to control air crafts that soar at various speeds, which travel at speeds measured in nautical miles (knots). The Cessna 172SP Skyhawk aircraft, flown by two Spanish River students, travels at a speed around 100 to 120 knots (120 to 140 miles per hour), while most
“I enjoy flying because of the feeling of being above everything and also the thrill and feeling of accomplishment as I become a better pilot,” Orzeck said. Orzeck is positive that no matter what becomes of his future, flying will be a part of it; whether he flies for the air force, a commercial airline, runs his father’s business, or fulfills his dream of being a bush pilot in Alaska, a pilot who flies for the mere challenge and adventure. According to Orzeck, flying came naturally to him; although he has learned that it takes dedication to obtain a license. “The best advice I could give would be to stick with it through the hard work because eventually it pays of,” Orzeck said. Senior Casey Carlson flies about five hours every month or as often as he can. His inspiration to pursue flying c a m e from his grandfather, who was a pilot in the United States A i r Force. Carlson flies the Cessna 172SP Skyhawk plane, which is the plane he took his first lesson in. He has flown across the east coast of Florida and if he could fly anywhere, he would fly to Colorado. Carlson intends to use his flying skill and commitment to eventually become a commercial pilot. “Flying lets me be in
commercial airplanes fly at speeds of around 500 knots (600 miles per hour). Senior Justin Dahan was born in Thailand and spoke his first word in Thai around the command and age of two: “airplane.” His focus since then enables me to escape has been aimed at becoming a commercial from everything on land and be airline pilot and eventually flying overseas free in the sky,” Carlson said. to Asia, specifically to Hong Kong, China The desire and excitement that come with flying, or Thailand. Dahan walks through the while professional for some, is entertainment and Boca Raton Airport with confidence and an activity of leisure for others. excitement, up to the Cessna 172SP Senior Josh Klein takes flight with his father by Skyhawk plane, although his side almost every week to various destinations he occasionally in Florida. He was first introduced to flying by his flies others. After mother, a former flight attendant. Klein has intensively and flown to places including Fort Pierce, Key professionally West and the Bahamas multiple times, inspecting the plane, inside and out, mainly for fun. he puts on his thick, grey headphones, and “I intend to use my skills later on in life listens to a recording by air traffic control either as a hobby or to fly helicopters for the to gain an understanding of the weather conditions navy or coast guard, depending on where I go to for that day. Once he takes several precautions- college,” Klein said. which include making sure that the plane has These four students will enough fuel, the wings are working properly and undoubtedly continue to the navigation system is performing efficiently- he soar to great heights as begins to track out his flight map and gets ready they get closer to fulfilling for takeoff. their dreams and earning Dahan, said he started flying when he was 15 years their pilot wings. They old and his flight instructor at Sky Blue Aviation encourage others to learn Academy, Steve Lovello, described Dahan as a the wonders of flying for student who is “very good, attentive, willing to learn themselves. and someone who learns quickly,” also adding that “It all starts with your he has “100 percent confidence in him as a pilot.” first lesson,” Calson said. He currently has his private pilot’s license and is “You fly it [an airplane], working toward obtaining his IFR license, which you take off in it, you land is his instrument reading license. Dahan will be it and you’ll love it.” attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Local training locations in Daytona Beach, Florida, in the fall of 2009. for flight school and photo courtesy of justin dahan “Flying is without a doubt my passion,” Dahan training in Boca Raton Justin Dahan flying his favorite said. “I’ve always wanted to fly and have always aircraft, the Cessna 172 SP include Sky Blue Aviation had a fascination with it.” Academy and the Lynn Skyhawk. Senior Mike Orzeck has been surrounded by University Burton D. aviation his entire life and is determined to keep it Morgan School of Aeronautics. More information that way, flying at least twice a week, or whenever he about flying can be found at www.flyskyblue.com has the time. His enthusiasm and drive is influenced and www.lynn.edu/academics/colleges/aeronautics. by his father, who is a pilot and also purchases and Eliana Newman can be contacted at sells private planes. He has flown multiple places such Elianangalleon@gmail.com as Key West, Marco Island, Orlando and Naples. photo courtesy of google images