Sample Recommendation Letter 1

I am delighted to recommend Ms. Johnny Pilot for a FLY NOW award. Ms. Johnny Pilot contacted me about a month ago wanting to know more about the 99s. She had started taking lessons at _____ airport and was becoming frustrated and overwhelmed, and was referred by a mutual (non-99) friend. She immediately became an Associate Member of the ________ Chapter of the 99s, and participated in our September event, a local ‘Fly-it-Forward’ educational activity at ___________ Airport involving demonstrations, displays and free airplane rides. I believe that she will be an active member and has already volunteered to help out in any way she can. We plan to use her IT skills to help with our Chapter newsletter and website.

Ms. Johnny Pilot application was supported by the Chapter Chair Mrs Cessna, Treasurer Ms. Lear Jet and myself (Scholarship Chair). Although we received only 1 application, we were all impressed with Ms. Johnny Pilot motivation and drive to get things done to start her flying endeavor and believe that she has all the “right stuff” to finish the program and especially important, to be an active member of the group.

Ms. Johnny Pilot has had an discontinuous career track, and has left the work force for many reasons. Throughout her life, she has provided support to her step-children (now in college) and is devoted to her elderly mother who lives with her. She is working now to support herself, her mother and to catch-up saving for her retirement. Her discretionary income is limited and tightly budgeted. Flight training is a lower financial priority and it would likely take her several years to complete. The clear financial need arises from the importance of supporting exceptional talent in the timely completion of training to certification, and integration into the 99s as a regular member. I believe that Ms. Johnny Pilot presents an opportunity for the 99s to provide support early in her aviation experience that will lead to a deeper, long lasting commitment to the organization. This award is perfect to provide continuity during this critical period.

I believe, without reservation, that Ms. Johnny Pilot will obtain her private pilot certificate. I am less certain that it will be within 1-year without this award. The first week we were in contact, we spoke for hours on the phone, over multiple days. Her instructor at the time was following an unusual syllabus that involved the student independently filing a SFRA flight plan and flying under the hood on the second lesson. Ms. Johnny Pilot felt overwhelmed, and being a well-balanced personality, thought she was slow and just not getting it. She is a detailed oriented person, wants to understand why she is doing things, makes copious checklists so she does not forget steps, and is conscientious in her studies and in her desire to perform well. She is flying with a different instructor now with a style (and syllabus) more compatible with her learning style and all is on track. Ms. Johnny Pilot has the right combination of intelligence, maturity, commitment to goals, available time and thrill seeking behavior (she rides motorcycles) that will enable her to complete her training, and make significant contributions to the 99s and to the aviation community. I think she would make an excellent role model for our organization and I support her application with the highest enthusiasm.