ALEXANDER FORDYCE “There are not enough pilots to get us where we’re going,” Trish Kilgannon of Spectrum 1 News said in her article addressing the crucial need for commercial pilots in the U.S. From the 42,000 commercial flights occurring daily in the United States, to the thousands of cargo planes that fly in and out of airports per day, society depends on pilots for a plethora of vital tasks. With pilot staffing at a recent low, a new, inspired generation of pilots must address this duty, one that junior Leo Bronfman hopes to fulfill. Aspiring to fly planes since he was a child, Bronfman is in the process of obtaining his private pilot’s license(PPL), which is the first step in every pilot’s career. Bronfman began the process with an introductory flight lesson, which helps beginner students gather a sense of an airplane and makes sure that they feel comfortable beginning their in-air lessons. After completing the introductory flight lesson, he began his lessons in February 2020 at the Concord Flight School. Two years later, Bronfman is in his second semester of junior year and balancing flight school at least 2 times a week along with his other commitments. With a heavy school workload, sports, extra-curriculars, and a social life, it’s difficult to balance everything. “ Flight training has sometimes been tough to balance with school since you are learning so many new things about what goes into being a pilot,” Bronfman said. Most lessons are approximately two hours, with ground lessons that teach students safety protocols and the anatomy of an airplane and in-air sessions. Before sitting in the pilot’s chair, it’s very important that students understand how an airplane functions. “I learn what to do when you stall an airplane or the engine stops working,” Bronfman said. “You do the maneuvers a couple of thousand feet up in the air, and again learn to recover from stalls and simulate emergency landings.” The second component of obtaining his license focuses on in-air training. In-air training teaches students about navigating planes and communicating 14
with air traffic control “We also go to other airports to learn landings, special situational maneuvers, and to get better at communicating with air traffic control,” Bronfman said. In order to obtain a PPL, flight school imposes a very laborious but appropriate number of hours of flying. Bronfman must complete 40 hours of flying time in order to earn his PPL, ten of which must be while flying solo. In addition, Bronfman must take a five hour “cross-country” trip. At this point in time, he has completed around 27 hours of total flying time, which includes multiple long-distance and night trips. Solo flights take a lot of focus and time under pressure, so flight schools ensure that everyone has the mental and physical capability to maneuver a plane by themselves. While Bronfman is still waiting for his medical certification, he still can’t complete any solo flights. The certificate requires a urine test, eye and ear exam, list of past medical issues, and an evaluation of pre-existing issues that can affect blood pressure or cognitive ability. “I hope to finish and get my private pilot’s license in the next few months, but there is a long process involved in acquiring my medical certificate,” Bronfman said. Leo leans on the support of his friends and family, who have helped him in his flying journey. “Ever since Leo achieved his goal of going to Japan, he has always been fascinated with all the places a pilot’s license can possibly get him,” junior and twin sister Hollis Bronfman ‘23 said. By obtaining a private pilot’s license, Photo: Leo Bronfman a multitude of opportunities open for Bronfman and his future. Many colleges in the U.S offer top aviation programs, which can lead to job opportunities such as becoming a pilot for delivery companies, commercial airlines, and private clients at a time when pilots are increasingly scarce. “I have been looking at colleges such as Western Michigan University and Embry Riddle, and I see myself pursuing a career in aviation. I ultimately want to be part of a big company such as FedEx or UPS,” Bronfman said. Flight after flight, lesson after lesson, Leo ends every session with a smile, relieved as he becomes one step closer to obtaining his license and fulfilling his lifelong desire to fly.
