Bishop International Airport, Flint, MI — September 17, 2026
Every Spring Break, various television news channels run a feature in which they head to warm-weather beaches to film college students basking in the sunshine and often consuming adult beverages. The entertainment value of these clips generally comes from the reporter asking these young people about their basic knowledge of current events, politics, history, geography, and other subjects you might expect a well-educated individual to be informed about. The replies are often ignorant and horrifying. One might wonder what the next generation has in store for the world’s population, and whether our current culture will survive under such leadership.
All is not lost. It might be safe to say that the intelligent responses often end up being cut and omitted from broadcast. Thankfully, most parents still strive to teach their children correct principles and values. Those shining examples of the next generation thrive in the background because too many in the media believe only controversy and sensationalism draw viewers.
The Lasco Press is happy to report that approach is far from the truth. Good news and positive upbeat stories will always find an audience that appreciates the genre. And that is the basis for this feature. We’d like to introduce two local young adults who exemplify the next generation and highlight a valuable resource in our community.
Long-term readers of The Lasco Press might remember an article we did back in 2017. It centered on the family of Michigan native and NASCAR driver Erik Jones, his mother, Carol Jones, and the untimely passing of his father, David Jones. We won’t retell it here, but you can find the tragedy-to-triumph story about Carol and David learning to fly so they could follow their son around the racing circuit by clicking the highlighted link.
The Michigan Takes Flight Scholarship
Now entering its 10th year, the Michigan Takes Flight (MTF) Scholarship program continues to quietly support qualified pilots who want to further their careers by providing financial assistance for their continuing aviation education. Learning to fly is an expensive process and takes multiple years of classroom and in-flight instruction. However, when compared to the cost of a four-year degree at a top-flight university, the investment is comparable for those seeking an aviation career. Unfortunately, student loans for flight training are extremely hard to come by.
The ideal candidate is an individual who has already obtained a private pilot’s license and is looking to advance by pursuing additional certifications that would expand their opportunities to fly commercially. To learn more about scholarship opportunities and how to apply, contact Scholarship Director Harry Hammond, 810-259-6492.
Meet Jaden Howard and Calvin Spiewak
Jaden and Calvin are the most recent beneficiaries of the MTF Scholarships. They could appear on a poster advertised as the ideal candidates to represent the program. Both have recently earned their Commercial flight certificates while flying the aircraft of the Greater Flint Pilots Association. They credit the MTF program with enabling them to achieve their accreditations and recognize their parents for the assistance they provided in pursuing their individual dreams.
Calvin is the oldest of seven children and wants to become a commercial pilot for a passenger carrier. His youngest brother is already saying he would like to follow in his older brother’s footsteps. Calvin’s mom contacted Harry about the scholarship and encouraged her son to apply. A high school athlete, Calvin excels at everything he puts his mind to. Currently, Calvin works at Bishop International Airport as an airline fueler. The fact that a 21-year-old man would be entrusted with the responsibility of performing such an important task is the first clue to how mature Calvin is.
High energy and enthusiastic about life might be an understatement. Calvin juggles learning to fly with work, coaching young athletes, and participating in family activities, all with a focus on being an example of his faith and dedication to helping others he comes into contact with. It does not take a long conversation with this young man to tell that his parents did a wonderful job of guiding and raising him in a world that doesn’t always emphasize those values.
There is no doubt that Calvin will succeed in his endeavors; his work ethic is enviable, and his positive outlook is infectious. When he accomplishes another of his life goals to become a husband and a father, the next generation of future pilots in his family will be in good hands. Michigan Takes Flight’s recruitment process is doing a fine job of identifying high-quality recipients of the resources it offers.
It was remarkable to see the similarities between Calvin and Jaden. Jaden exudes a much quieter sense of strength and confidence. This is a young lady, also 21 years old, who too has benefited from solid support and parental direction in her life. Her mother also initiated Jaden’s path to the MTF program, and Harry was quick to recognize the similar determination to make the path work for this candidate.
During our interviews, I shared with both young adults my experience in interviewing professional race car drivers. Occasionally, the subject of becoming involved in a crash comes up. Most of the time, these individuals who risk their lives behind the wheel of a car traveling 150-200 mph in heavy traffic will say that they never focus on the possibility of a wreck; they prefer to drive the subject completely from their minds so as not to have it interfere with their performance behind the wheel.
Flying is a high-risk occupation, and a crash could be catastrophic in most cases. So, when the question of whether it ever enters their minds was posed to each separately, their responses were remarkably consistent. Sure, they admitted to considering the possibility. Still, both cited their extensive training in emergency response situations as evidence that they would not panic and would do their best to find an acceptable outcome to the crisis.
Then they both said the same thing. Neither would want to face the very real possibility of not surviving a crash. But, if that were to happen, they were both certain of their next destination. Their faith has provided them with the assurance that the end of this life is only a transition into the next, and they have no fear of that happening. A poise and confidence that belies their respective young ages.
Calvin’s interest in flying was generated well before his teen years. He related being invited into the cockpit of a flight he and his family were on when he was about 8 years old and being fascinated with the experience. Jaden’s interest was sparked later in her teenage years. Having initially considered a career in the medical field, venturing into aviation was a secondary interest.
A high school softball athlete, Jaden experienced injuries that led her to believe that helping people with similar conditions would be a fulfilling career of service. But when flying offered her the means to provide service much more quickly, flying corporate jets became her new passion.
Of course, Calvin’s and Jaden’s career choices differed, and I don’t mean corporate versus commercial. Calvin was entering an industry where men mostly held the cockpit seats. While women were more often considered to work on the other side of the cockpit door.
When asked whether discussing such a stereotype was uncomfortable for her, Jaden responded: “No, not at all.” Again, that quiet confidence was displayed. Jaden realizes that some people often judge job roles based on gender. She also has experienced comments that have been less than appropriate. When questioned about how she responds in such circumstances? Jaden is always prepared to deflect the comment and assures people she can pilot an aircraft as well as anyone else. A corporate pilot must have a professional demeanor in all aspects of the job. Jaden already has that task well in hand.
Both Calvin and Jaden are working towards becoming certified flight instructors (CFIs). A CFI is an aviator who holds an FAA-issued certificate and is authorized to teach student pilots and provide required flight training and endorsements.
Here is an industry insider bit of information. A CFI can use their piloting skills to earn money, and the additional time in the aircraft counts toward the hours needed to earn higher certifications. While someone else is paying for the aircraft usage and fuel.
A manager in any industry would love to have such a candidate walk in the door with this kind of resume in hand. These two are already on a path to career success. In part thanks to Michigan Takes Flight and the Greater Flint Pilots Association.
Want to Go Flying
If you are already a pilot and are looking for an affordable way to keep flying and keep your certifications up to date. The Greater Flint Pilots Association is an asset you should look into. It’s better described as a flying club that operates out of the General Aviation terminal at Bishop International Airport. The GFPA was established in March of 1975 as a Nonprofit Corporation. Their fleet of 4 aircraft is the finest anyone has as a privately owned, nonprofit flying club.
They offer:
- Reasonable Fees
- Newer & Better Maintained Aircraft
- Instructors who fly for the joy of flying
- Easy online scheduling 24 hours a day
- Excellent hangars, tugs, and various equipment
- Informative safety meetings
- and so much more!
How affordable?
- $3,500 Member Equity
- $125/month dues
- New members can defer 50% of their equity by making one initial payment of $1,750 (1/2 of equity) and then making twelve (12) equal monthly payments of $145.83 (1/2 of equity), starting with the first month of membership.
- Aircraft rates are by Tach hour, wet.
Have questions? Call Membership Director, Harry Hammond, at 810-259-6492
Want to Learn to Fly
To follow in the footsteps of Jaden and Calvin, young people interested in aviation and learning to fly should look into the Aviation Academy at Genesee Career Institute (GCI).
Advanced studies in the Aviation Academy for second-year students include work for both manned and unmanned aviation. They will prepare students to take two FAA tests: The Private Pilot Knowledge Test and/or the Drone Remote Pilot Knowledge Test. Topics include pre-flight procedures, airspace, radio communications, drone operation, and more.
Students Can:
- Explore careers for the in-demand field of aviation.
- Prepare to pass the private pilot knowledge test by learning from trained pilots.
- Visit airports, air traffic control towers, and air museums.
- Practice on a flight simulator.
