By Dylan Marsh
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
CLAREMONT- Ilya Gruenbaum,18, from Claremont is on his way to report to the Air Force Basic Military Training facility in San Antonio, Texas.
Gruenbaum, on his way to become an Air Force fighter pilot, was able to significantly accelerate his dream using a gracious donation of $5,500 from Granite State Flight #53 Order of the Daedalians.
Once Gruenbaum reports to the training facility, it will be with the New Hampshire Air National Guard. As a result of his training, he was able to fly solo in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk prior to his departure for basic training. “Everyone has been impressed with what a hard charging kid he is and his dedication to become a military aviator,” said Peter Lennon,Public Affairs Officer for Granite State Flight #53.
Granite State Flight #53, which consists of a group of roughly 70 pilots, helped propel Gruennbaum’s career in the field of aviation. It is the regional chapter of the national organization known as the Order of the Daedalians. The order was formed in 1934 by military aviators who had flown during World War I. The group had decided that they wanted to form an organization in order to promote, encourage, and inspire the next generation of aviators.
Three scholarships are offered annually from Granite State Flight #53, and are typically offered to high school seniors for trying Daedalians flying, and are accepted based on a rating system done by a formal board. After reviewing Gruenbaum’s application, letters of recommendation from teachers, and acknowledging not only his personal but academic accomplishments; the group felt that he “seemed like the kind of guy who would make a great military pilot.”
Gruenbaum is the first in his family to have joined the American armed forces,and as someone of Ukrainian descent, is well aware of the seriousness of his cause. While taking lessons with the Daedalian flight school, he was required to complete classroom and in-air training. As part of his on the ground training, students are taught basic navigation, individual parts of the plane, and basic aviation procedure. Once they transition to in-air training they learn, taking off and landing, transitions to level flight, and procedures to employ in the event of any in-flight problems. The expectation is that students will spend roughly 15 hours before they qualify for flying solo.
After completing his basic training, Gruenbaum will attend Technical School in Texas. He will also be joining Air & Space Force ROTC at the University of New Hampshire, where he will receive free tuition as a result of his enlistment. Gruenbaum also took up boxing at Real Steel Fitness in Claremont, where instructors have spoken to his dedication and determination.
“Taking flying lessons is one of the best things I have ever done, and I am very grateful to the Daedalians for giving me such an amazing opportunity. I enjoy flying because it is challenging, and overcoming challenges gives me a sense of achievement and accomplishment. The part of flying I enjoy the most would be watching myself improve consistently every time I get in the air,” Gruenbaum said in a press release from Granite State Flight #53.
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