- Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.
My STEP project was obtaining my Student Pilot License. To do so, I completed Gold Seal Ground School and went on my discovery flight with AVIT at Wadsworth Municipal Airport. In total, I accrued 14.6 flight hours before the summer ended.
- What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.
The infatuation with flight and love of airplanes I developed as a child has always been the driving force behind my goal of becoming an aerospace engineer. This passion led to learning as much as I could about the engineering process and the technical side behind how aircraft work. The most transformative part of the STEP project for me was experiencing all of the concepts I have learned about flight first hand. I assumed that I had a good understanding of flight characteristics, stability and control systems because of how much time I spent studying them. This experience taught me how much actual flying a plane could increase the concepts I read in books from my first flight. Instead of just grasping concepts and understanding numbers on a page, this hands-on experience provided a level of insight that would not have been possible without it. Feeling how the aircraft reacts to certain flight conditions helped me understand how certain design choices lead to specific flight characteristics. I had planned on continuing into a PHD program but this experience has shifted my focus from academics and research to practical applications.
Trying to balance the priorities of school, work and a social life has always been something I have struggled with. This project also forced me to work on my time management and adaptability skills. It is very competitive to get flying hours. I had to plan weeks or months in advance in order to have a schedule that accommodated these flights around a forty hour a week internship while taking summer classes. Many times I had to adjust my calendar around canceled flights, school assignments and working overtime. I know I will be more prepared to balance classes, clubs and research this year because of the experience I gained from STEP.
- What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.
The discovery flight at AVIT was the first and most transformational event that took place. The discovery flight is the first flight you take at a flight academy. I spent weeks studying material and passing tests to make my way through ground school. It was interesting but not much different than any other class. It is hard to describe the way I felt walking up to that small Cessna 172N. The closest thing I can compare it to, is the combined fear and excitement you get driving a car for the first time, but on steroids. The plane was much smaller and way louder than I expected. No amount of reading can fully prepare you for something more than actually doing it yourself, and this experience gave me that chance. The .09 hours in my logbook might not look like much, but taught me more than all the hours of studying combined. Most importantly I discovered that this was something I really wanted to do and was committed to finishing.
My flight instructor also played an important roll in the process. His insightful life experiences brought a wealth of knowledge to every lesson. The way he always came prepared made me more confident every time I got the controls. Flying isn’t easy – there are a lot of gauges to check constantly, as well as having to watch out for other planes or birds. No matter how uncomfortable I was taking off or landing he always remained calm. Staying calm under pressure is always important and this STEP project allowed me plenty of opportunities to develop this important life skill. It is also something I have been able to implement in other areas of my life which is very helpful during exams or when my schedule gets hectic. His constant emphasis on safety is something that will influence my future work as an aerospace engineer. Maintaining and improving safety standards while flying is something I want to work on.
The relationships I have made during this project will be lasting. I have a friend from high school I hadn’t seen in years. After he found out I was getting my pilot license, he reached out and I learned he was taking lessons at the same place! He told me he was about to get his flight instructor’s license and in the future when I try to get more hours, he told me he would be more than happy to be my CFI. Not only did this experience give us something to bond over, it will allow me to regularly see a friend I wouldn’t have. I have also made new friends because of flying. Being an aerospace engineer, it only makes sense that other students in my classes are also interested in flying. They have been very encouraging and supportive, giving me pointers or tips after every flight I have. These friendships have been extremely helpful for my academics. We study together for every midterm and I now have them on class projects. Meeting other engineers with similar interests doesn’t stop at Ohio State. This past summer I worked an internship near Dayton. Here, I met another engineer who was working on his pilot license. Having a pilot license has been a great way for me to meet people with similar interests, and given me a chance to grow as a person.
- Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.
This transformation I have experienced from this project has been significant both for my academic and professional journeys, as it has bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and real world experiences. Obtaining my Student Pilot License has not only enhanced my understanding of aerodynamics, but given me a practical understanding of how the designing phase directly affects flight characteristics. This experience has also pointed me in a direction to pursue after graduating from Ohio State. As I graduate, my goal as an engineer is to design safe and innovative aircraft that bring the world closer together.
On a personal level, I have developed my time management skills as well as my ability to remain calm in high pressure situations. These qualities will help me enhance my adaptability and resilience as a person and employee. This experience would have never been possible without STEP and I am grateful as it has shaped me into a more well-rounded individual and equipped me with the knowledge to solve practical problems.
