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, encompassing not only technical skills but also the crucial development of self-belief to overcome personal insecurities.
Mentorship is presented as an indispensable tool for navigating the difficulties of aviation training, with the author emphasizing the transformative power of having multiple, diverse mentors.
Thirteen-year-old aspiring aviator Ava Rian Shelly shares her journey, highlighting how mentors—including her CFI, a female Navy fighter pilot, and experienced members of aviation organizations like EAA and the Ninety-Nines—provide essential guidance and support.
Being an effective mentee requires proactive engagement, seeking advice, welcoming criticism, and preparing for interactions, fostering mutually beneficial relationships with mentors.

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Flight training is hard—I mean really hard.

By Ava Rian Shelly