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Post of the month
Outward bound
While others are stuck on the ground, general aviation pilots strike out for parts unknown. #flywithaopa
Pilot of the month
Meet Ryan Melendez
Overcoming frightening obstacles to realize his dream
By Cayla McLeod Hunt
Each Friday, AOPA releases a weekly wrap-up on Instagram called Lightning Round. It’s through this series that I met our featured social media pilot of the month, Ryan Melendez.
Melendez is a 24-year-old regional airline pilot and owner of an Aeronca Champ, but his aviation journey has been anything but smooth sailing. In 2015, at age 17, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Since flying was all he had ever dreamed of, Melendez felt as determined as ever to begin his flight training. Two months into treatment, he took his first flight lesson at his local airport in San Diego. On that day, Melendez learned he was in remission.
Although this was great news, Melendez had to undergo three years of chemotherapy to ensure the cancer cells would not return. Through research and pure determination, Melendez learned he could earn a sport pilot certificate, which led to the purchase of his 1946 Aeronca Chief he has affectionately named Snoopy.
By the time Melendez had completed his treatment, he had 300 hours of flight time. He quickly earned his private and commercial certificates and started towing banners in a 180-horsepower Super Cub, which included ferry flights from New Jersey to California to start his own banner towing business.
Today, Ryan is a first officer on a CRJ for a regional airline and considers flying to be his way of escaping “all the crazy things in life.”
Follow Ryan on Instagram @ryan_melendez2 and @flyinsnoopy.
View the video
These and other videos can be accessed in the AOPA Pilot Digital Edition and on YouTube. aopa.org/digitaleditions
Train and travel in luxury
Tecnam’s Gran Lusso (“Grand Luxury”) is the latest in the manufacturer’s line of P2010 single-engine aircraft. It’s simple enough to serve as a trainer, yet capable enough to be a cross-country machine. And did we mention it’s luxurious?
aopa.org/pilot/granlusso
What do we want?
Comfy? Practical? Essential? Family friendly? Convenient? This year’s Gear Guide has something for every pilot.
aopa.org/pilot/gearguide
Fantasy of Flight
Aviation is full of characters—those with inspiration, creativity, courage, guts, determination, and, yes, a touch of fantasy. Kermit Weeks, owner of one of the largest private collections of aircraft in the world, is one of them.
aopa.org/pilot/kermitweeks
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