Ask any pilot what was the most challenging aircraft they’ve flown and odds are you’ll hear a story about their first tailwheel landing.
That was the case with Craig Blumer, a Piper Cub owner and professional pilot.
Craig is so enamored with tailwheels that he created the Jane Berg Scholarship in 2021 to provide for a tailwheel endorsement in a 1946 Piper J3 Cub to one lucky pilot.
“Jane Berg was one of the many of my flight instructors and supervisors I’ve had over the years,” says Blumer. “The time she invested in me helped me achieve my aviation goals and end up where I am today.”
“My hope is that this scholarship honors her professionalism and transfers hands-on flying to the applicant selected,” he added.
The $2,000 scholarship will cover instructor and airplane time in the Cub, along with a stipend for travel and hotel, if needed. Training will be in a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub in Salinas, Kansas, Blumer noted.
Applicants need to be female, a U.S. resident, hold a pilot certificate, meet currency requirements in 14 CFR §61.56, and meet the parameters of the Piper Cub for legal operation, he explained. Applicants also must submit a 300 word essay addressing why they want the scholarship.
The deadline for applying is April 15, 2023.
For details and an application, contact Craig at [email protected].
If you don’t know how to fly a tail wheel aircraft then you really don’t know how to fly!
Why must these silly comments continue to prevail among those of us in aviation that are SUPPOSE to be professinal’s ? When I use to ride my Harley there was a segment amongst those that rode Harleys as well that would state “if you dont ride a Harley then your not a real biker”…that was an ignorant statement as well !
As a matter of wild, cosmic coincidence, I was reflecting just this morning on what I wanted to accomplish as a pilot this year and, as it has several times before, I wondered if getting a tailwheel endorsement should be on the list. So, when I saw this, I was actually a little excited that maybe this was some kind of grand sign that this could be the year of the tailwheel for me. But, alas, I find that (because I’m not inclined to identify as anything other than what I am) I am not qualified to apply for this opportunity. So, best of luck to those that are qualified (or identify as being qualified)!