Training and Proficiency

My Mentors, and What They Mean to Me

By Ava Rian Shelly

Friday, September 24, 2021 at 02:31 PM ET

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Ava Shelly has started taking flight lessons in this Cessna 172. Courtesy of Ava Shelly/Mike Shelly

Key Takeaways:

Flight training is exceptionally challenging, not just technically, but also in developing self-belief, a process made significantly easier and more successful through the guidance of mentors.
The author, 13-year-old Ava Rian Shelly, emphasizes the crucial role of diverse mentors—ranging from her flight instructor and a female Navy fighter pilot to experienced aviators in supportive organizations like the EAA and Ninety-Nines—in navigating her ambitious aviation journey.
Being an effective mentee involves actively reaching out, seeking advice, welcoming instruction, and being prepared, a proactive approach that enriches the learning experience for both the mentee and the mentor.

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Flight training is hard—I mean really hard.

By Ava Rian Shelly