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Stow, Mass. – May 12, 2006 – As an 8-year old, Matthew Nau went with his grandfather to Minute Man Air Field. The occasion was an EAA Young Eagles event held by Chapter 196. A little apprehensive, Matthew got encouragement from his grandfather who told him that, “It would be fun and everything would be fine.”
Pilot Alan Orth took Matthew up on his first airplane ride. Matthew recalls, “I can remember that ride like it was yesterday. It was a nice, calm day. I climbed into the Beechcraft Musketeer and the pilot helped me buckle up. I thought it would be just like riding in a car, but boy was I wrong. We took off and I can remember coming out of the smoothness of ground effect and climbing out over the trees. I got to take the controls and fly. It was beautiful up there, soaring above everyone else. After my first ride I had to go for another, and another.”
In the years following, Matthew had many opportunities to fly with another Young Eagles pilot, James Ellis. “My grandfather and I would go flying in his Piper Cherokee all around New England. It was really nice. He taught me how to fly and I really got hooked on it. My grandfather had given me some of his airplane books to look over, as well as buying some new books down at the local pilot shop. I began reading them when I was in the fourth grade.” The trio took to the skies three to four times a year until Matthew was 16 when he decided he’d like to take up flying on his own.
“When I was in tenth grade, I decided that I wanted to start taking lessons after school.” From his flight experiences with Ellis and the knowledge passed on to him by his grandfather, also private pilot, he felt he had a jump on getting started. “It was the first time I got to sit in the highly regarded left seat.”
Matthew soloed after 14 hours of flight. On March 23, 2005, three days after his 17th birthday, he earned his private pilot’s certificate with just under 50 hours logged.
“My mother has supported me through this whole thing, and I can't thank her enough. I plan on going on to a 4-year college to study Criminal Justice.”
Matthew would like to fly one day for the Air Wing department for the State Police. “Also sometime in the future I plan on conducting some Young Eagles flights of mine own. This program really inspires kids when they go flying!”
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Now a private pilot, Matthew Nau stands proudly next to the airplane.
Matthew Nau, former EAA Young Eagle, now pilot in command!
Are you a former Young Eagle or know one who has a story to share? Let us know. What are you up to? How did your Young Eagles experience influence you? Send your letters and photos to the EAA Young Eagles Office.
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