Looking for that first certificate for your aviation-crazy kid? How about an official Broomstick Pilot License?
If you are anywhere near the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire on Oct. 22, 2022, your child may qualify for a free Broomstick Pilot License.
There’s only two requirements: They have to be 12 and under and they have to go through an official “ground school.”
For the ground school, aspiring broomstick pilots will meet the ghosts of past aviation pioneers, who will describe their achievements and explain basic principles of flight. Spirits on hand include the ghosts of legendary aviators Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, and Chuck Yeager.
Each ghost will reward the young pilots with Halloween treats after listening to a brief talk.
Broomstick Pilot Licenses are issued under the authority of Glenda the Witch, the Aviation Museum’s Official Broomstick Check Pilot, who will be on hand to greet applicants and supervise the licensing process. She recommends applicants come dressed in their Halloween costumes to improve chances of getting a license.
Headshots will be taken of each applicant for their license, which will be awarded at the completion of ground school.
A typical visit to obtain a license will last 20 minutes, although visitors are welcome to stay at the museum longer, according to museum officials.
The license, which will be valid on Oct. 31, entitles the bearer to operate any broomstick or broomstick-like device for aviation purposes only.
“Just like regular pilots, anyone wishing to fly a broomstick or broomstick-like device must obtain an official license,” said Jeff Rapsis, the museum’s director.
Broomstick Pilot Licenses will be issued on one day only, Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Aviation Museum at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in Londonderry, N.H.
The museum is open Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6 to 12, kids 5 and under free, with discounts for seniors and veterans. All Broomstick Pilot’s License applicants 12 and under will be admitted free on Oct. 22.
Find out more at AviationMuseumofNH.org or call 603-669-4820.
What a great idea. I can imagine this license option spreading to other wisdom museums around the country – if more Glenda witch pilots can get their DPE certification.