You Can Fly: ‘Too much fun’ to keep to himself

By Julie Summers Walker

For Adam Enggasser, filling out the application for AOPA’s High School Flight Training Scholarship in 2016 was just another way he could share his passion. Detailing how he felt about the prospect of learning to fly was similar to his desire to share aviation with his friends and schoolmates: “It was simply too much fun to keep to myself,” he wrote in his scholarship application. In 2015, when the aviation bug first bit, he formed the Upstate South Carolina Youth Aviators Association (USCYAA) to share radio-controlled aircraft flying with others. He then launched the first Youth Aviation Day at Triple Tree Aerodrome in his home state—now an annual event at the airstrip—and was recognized by the Academy of Model Aeronautics with the 2016 National Youth Leadership Award. It’s obvious why Enggasser was one of the 20 high schoolers awarded a $5,000 AOPA scholarship to begin flight training that same year.

Fast-forward through a year of exciting aviation experiences—including the nonaviation achievements of being named valedictorian of his high school class and acceptance to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—to his solo in June 2017, flight to EAA AirVenture last summer, and earning his certificate as a small unmanned aircraft pilot. Now a rising sophomore in environmental studies, he’s involved with Carolina General Aviation, UNC’s aviation club, and continues to spread the gospel of aviation.

“Adam wanted the scholarship to learn to fly, but also to inspire his peers to fly,” said Cindy Hasselbring, senior director of AOPA's high school initiative in the You Can Fly program. “He rented an airplane with a back seat while he took lessons specifically so he could let others experience flight. And one of the friends he inspired ended up receiving a 2017 scholarship, without us realizing it at all.”

Saira Martinez was introduced to aviation through USCYAA by attending an event. She started attending meetings, built and learned to fly radio-controlled aircraft, and built and learned how to fly FPV drones. “I’m so thrilled that she’ll be able to start flying soon,” Enggasser said. “Her process is exactly what we’re working to get other people to follow. She has been such a success story for our group.”

Success story

Coming full circle

“I never really had that 'I want to learn to fly' moment many people talk about. For me it was more like a typical childhood fascination that just grew out of control—way out of control. I started flying in 2010 and by 2012, after many challenges, I soloed and passed my private pilot checkride. I decided then I wanted to be a flight instructor.

My journey continued, first instrument in 2014 then Civil Air Patrol mission pilot in 2015. Then in 2016 I purchased a Cessna 182RG and completed my commercial training. Then finally on September 29, 2017, one year to the day after I took my first CFI lesson, I passed my initial CFI checkride on the first attempt. Now I can help others start or continue their aviation journey as did all the wonderful CFIs who helped me get to where I’m at now.”