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A trip to Disney World when she was 6 years old clinched Maisie Bitler's love of flying but it has really taken off this year as the recent Hughesville High School graduate works toward earning a pilot's license.
"I definitely remember the first time I was on a plane and I really liked it," Bitler said.
"We were going to Disney World. It was my first time ever really interacting with a plane and I had a great time. I loved it," she added.
Although she was reluctant at first, Bitler joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) three years ago, after friends encouraged her to see what the group was like.
"They nagged and nagged and nagged for months and I finally was like alright, sure, I'll go," she said.
"I went and I did not leave their side. I was absolutely terrified and then as I went forward, I got into it. I obviously had a lot of success with the program. I've made a ton of new friends. I talk to people two, three hours away regularly," she said.
Since she joined the CAP, Bitler has worked her way to be the top squadron cadet commander. However, at the end of June, she is giving up her command because of the time involved.
"I love my cadets. I just don't have time for the program anymore, so I'm backing off," she said.
"For three years, it's been a really big part of my life -- it's helped me out a lot," she added.
Looking back, Bitler remembers the exact day when she was given an orientation flight through the CAP.
"It was Sept. 26, 2021 ... they just take you up and you're in the right seat. You can fly around for a little bit and I really enjoyed that," she shared.
A few more opportunities of being in an airplane clinched it for Bitler.
"I was like, 'alright, yeah, this is what I want,'" she said.
Her mother, Amber Waltz, then began working at Lycoming Engines, which in turn enabled Bitler to take advantage of the company's flying club, "Quarter to Two." The club, which has been flying since the 1930s is open to employees and their direct families.
Initially, Bitler began taking flying lessons at the club in December last year. She continued until about two months ago when she took a break. Now, she is back at it and as she puts it, "hitting it hard."
For someone who admitted that she once was afraid of heights, Bitler's end goal is to be an airline pilot.
"I had a very bad fear of heights for a very long time. And it wasn't until I started flying in a smaller plane where you were a couple 1,000 feet in the air and you're getting shook around a lot more than you would on an airliner. Then I started to kind of be a little more okay with them. Because I was having a great time when I was doing that and you're so high up and you're just in like a little box basically. So it's a good time," she said.
She compared being a passenger on an airplane versus being the pilot to learning to drive and being in control of the vehicle.
"It's a lot more stressful because there's a lot more stress to it. It's similar to, I guess, being a passenger in a car and then actually driving the car," she said.
"You're just not really paying attention to anything that's going on. You don't think anything of it. You're like, 'oh, I got from point A to point B.' That's all," she said.
"Then when you're actually doing it, when I first started driving, I was struggling to look at all the road signs, to look at everything -- it's just a lot. So it's similar to that. You've got to look at your instruments now. You've got all your instruments you're looking at. You've got your outside stuff that you have to look at, too -- your visual," she explained.
For the next step in achieving her goal, Bitler starts at the LIFT (Leadership in Flight Training) Academy in South Carolina in September.
"I'm very excited about that, but it's an accelerated program. So over the course of 18 months you get all of your licenses…all your ratings. And then after that you move on," she said.
"To actually get with an airline you need 1,500 hours total. I have about probably 25. You're only gonna get about 500 hours, even with all the other things. So then you take about two years is how a lot of people do it, and maybe become an instructor and they teach other kids how to fly and then they get hours that way. And then after you get your 1,500 hours. I have a spot with a regional airline -- it'll be with Republic Airways. I'll have a seat with them -- for five years, if I complete the program," she said.
Bitler admitted that she has it all mapped out "in my head," but she added, "I'm sure it's not going to be that easy."
One thing that's helped Bitler stay on course in reaching for her goal is the support of her family and the support of people in the aviation community. She urges anyone who wants to go into the field to tap into that support.
"Talk to people that are in the aviation community. Everyone in the community is so supportive. It is one of the best. It's definitely one of the best things in my opinion, that I've seen where everyone is really just supportive and pushing you to do your best," she said.
"Everyone in the community knows what you're going through. They're smart, intelligent people. lt's just a really good environment to be around. Everyone is like, 'yeah, go, you got it, keep pushing,'" she added.