Personal Essay submitted for the Doug Yost Scholarship by Shannon Lepird in 2002

Educational Plan

Each year since 1 earned my private certificate, I've picked at least one rating or aviation topic on which to concentrate. I flew a few extra hours at NW A and saved any money I made with my flying jobs to continue my training. I started with my instrument rating and have continued to my multi engine rating this past year. In between, I've attended an aviation conference, collected some experience in a taildragger, earned my flight instructor certificate, and took a lesson in mountain flying while in Alaska. Since my son started school, I have been able to dedicate more of my time to flying. Much of the training takes place on my vacation time and I've even been able to take advantage of my job and fly on layovers. As well as continuing my commitment to an annual aviation learning adventure, I will be pursuing my bachelor degree starting the fall of 2003 at the University of Mary in Fargo.

Career Aspirations

I know that I will always have a career in aviation. I have enjoyed my job as a flight attendant for the last 10 years. I have spent three summers doing aerial photography, a year flight instructing, and at present, I am a copilot on an air ambulance. I believe I have really found my niche as part of the Lifeflight crew. It is the best of both worlds. It combines flying with the purpose of helping people. In addition, my Lifeflight schedule is conducive to life with a small child as 1 work at night while he is asleep. I definitely see a move to the left seat in the future. I am interested in aerial photography as well as certain aspects of teaching. Purchasing an airplane has always been a dream of mine--one that I'm saving for and hope to make come true in the future.

Why I Would Like This Scholarship

I believe aerobatic training improves pilot performance and the safety of flight. I distinctly remember a conversation with a 747 pilot shortly after I'd begun working on my private certificate. He suggested I look into aerobatic flight training. He told me the difference between an adequate pilot and a really good pilot is aerobatic training. At the time, I remember thinking I'd just like to learn to keep the airplane right side up and eventually land it, but I've always kept his words with me. The subject once again came up while attending an aviation conference. I met a woman who was learning aerobatics and said that her confidence had grown exponentially while learning barrel rolls and other maneuvers. She also said that as an instructor, she felt that she was allowing her students to be on the controls more because she knew what the plane could handle and how she could get them out unusual attitudes. Studying aerobatics had been a win-win situation for her and her students. Two years later, while reading an aviation magazine, I saw her picture. Not only did she now have a job with a regional airline, but she was headlining in an aerobatic show sponsored by her employer as well!

I feel traditional training should focus more time on recovery from unusual attitudes and aerobatic principles because this type of training saves lives. Instead of being able to state what to do from rote memory in an upset or unusual attitude, I want to be able to do it instinctively and to pass on what I learn to others when teaching. This scholarship would allow me the quality of training I desire without the stress of the "creative" financing I have used in the past.

What I've Learned from Working and Volunteering

In February of 1991 I was matched with a little sister through the Big Brother/Big Sister program. I made a year commitment, but luckily, we were very well matched and our relationship has endured nearly 12 years. It has been both challenging and rewarding. I've learned one can't fix every thing in another person's life, but with somewhat minimal effort, one can at least make a little difference.

Working as a flight attendant has given me the opportunity to see new places in the U.S; and around the world. Every new place I travel to reminds.me of how much I have left to see. Thanks to my travels, I have friends all over the country and the world, each one teaching me something different from their life or culture. After fifteen years in the industry, I've learned to predict behavior, anticipate needs, and multi task. This has helped in both my professional and personal life!

Working as a flight instructor has made me a much better pilot. Some days I felt I learned more than my students. They had many different learning styles, personalities, and motivations. I enjoyed the challenge of finding many ways to teach the same thing. This knowledge of how differently people learn has helped me to understand and work with my son's learning disability.

Training and working as a pilot has taught me to respect my personal limits as well as challenge them. I've gained confidence from flying that has transferred to every aspect of my life. I've learned to appreciate a challenge and the satisfaction of obtaining a goal. I've learned how much I really like to learn and, that at times; an addiction can be a really good thing!

Following article by Ms. Diane Dreon and reprinted from Sport Aerobatics Magazine April 2004

2003 Scholarship recipient, Ms. Shannon L. Lepird of West Fargo, North Dakota trains at Chandler Air Service

Shannon Lepird of West Fargo, North Dakota, was awarded the first Douglas Yost Acrobatic Scholarship administered by IAC Chapter 78. Doug Yost was an aerobatic pilot and Chapter 78 member who died in a motorcycle accident. The scholarship was set up by Doug Yost’s fami ly and friends in his honor. Shannon is employed as a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines and is also a copilot on a King Air C-90 for MeritCare LifeFlight air ambulance. She is a commercial pilot with instrument and multiengine ratings and is a certifi cated flight instructor (CFI). She has about 700 hours total time.

Shannon said, "I have always been interested in aviation. I never thought it was something I could actually do myself until I was about 29. I got my private, and it became an addiction. Training and working as a pilot has taught me to respect my personal lim its as well as to challenge them. I've gained confidence from flying that has transferred to every aspect of my life. I've learned to appreciate a challenge and the satisfaction of obtaining a goal. I've learned how much I really like to learn and that, at times, an addiction can be a really good thing! About two years ago I decided I wanted to try aer obatics. It was not something I could have done myself financially, but the scholarship made it possible, and I loved it!" Shannon heard about the scholarship from a Chapter 78 member who was on a Northwest Airlines flight (he had an aerobatics sticker on his bag). "We started talking about aerobat ics; he told me about the scholarship, and I applied."

Shannon selected Chandler Air Service because she heard it was the best from everyone she talked to, including Chapter 78 members. Shannon said, "Chandler Air Service is a first-class operation—from dispatch, to the line people, to the instructors. I couldn't have been more impressed. The training I received was more than I expected." Training was conducted in a Great Lakes Special, an open-cockpit, 180-hp biplane. "This experience has opened a whole new flying world to me. I got a better understanding of the aerodynamics of flying, and I was sur prised by what the airplane could do. I am going back home a much better pilot overall. I learned a lot of things I can pass on and that I will use every day in my flying.

"The Douglas Yost Aerobatic Scholar ship was a great opportunity for me, and I am so grateful to the wonderful people in Chapter 78! Thanks!"

Article by Ms. Diane Dreon and reprinted from Sport Aerobatics Magazine April 2004
Photos courtesy of Sport Aerobatics Magazine, David Kujawa, Editor