CAA: GA News, "Arizona 'Pilot' program lets kids soar"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@cwnet.com>]

Friday, April 14, 2000

'Pilot' program lets kids soar
By Jim Gintonio
The Arizona Republic


By the look in the kids' eyes when they were back on solid ground, Shai
Tziony knew all his effort was worthwhile.

The 18-year-old whiz kid, who became a licensed private pilot two years ago,
is one of the youngest flight instructors of multiengine airplanes in the
country.

He recently completed his third "Wings for a New Generation" day at Deer
Valley Municipal Airport, where 30 youngsters from Valley Big Brothers/Big
Sisters participated in a 30-minute flight aboard a Cessna 152 single-engine
plane.

Tziony said this was the best so far.

"The kids literally flew the planes," he said. "We'd take off and land, and
the kids pretty much took over. They had no idea that they would fly as much
as they did. That's one of the most powerful parts of the event. They just
can't believe they're in control of the plane."

Tziony, a freshman at Glendale Community College, worked with 11 other
pilots Saturday. He also secured the sponsorship of America West Airlines
and West-wind Aviation.

Austin Christensen of Scottsdale got a lesson in aviation from his Big
Brother, Bill McCollum of Cave Creek, a retired Air Force pilot.

"This is great," said Austin, 13, who has been in single-engine planes with
McCollum.

Fred Hamilton, 7, of Phoenix, flew with Tziony on the first flight of the
day.

"When we got back down, he was just standing there, touching the plane,"
Tziony said. "He didn't want to leave."

Ron Haarer, president and general manager of West-wind, supplied the
aircraft and other pilots, as he has been doing since the program's
inception.

"We feel strongly about the well-being of children and young people," Haarer
said. "Sometimes I feel we overlook the opportunity to create a positive
experience in young people's lives."

The program has received positive feedback from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters
organization. It's so popular, there already is a waiting list of kids for
next year.

Attached Photos: Austin Christensen and his "big brother," Ron McCollum,
look over a plane engine before their turn to fly during "Wings for a New
Generation" day at Deer Valley Municipal Airport.

Seven-year-old Fred Hamilton of Phoenix got the first flight of the day with
pilot Shai Tziony.

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