Rhiannon Umfleet
UCA Aviation Academy
Private Pilot in Training (for instrument rating)
DAY IN TRAINING
On days that I have flight lessons – I will chair fly to practice maneuvers, study emergency procedures, calculate the weight and balance of the aircraft, and obtain a weather briefing to ensure we can have a safe and productive flight. Once I arrive at the airport I meet with my CFI (certified flight instructor). We will have a pre-flight brief where we will talk about today’s lessons objectives and any knowledge topics that correlate to said lesson. Afterwards I will go ahead and preflight the aircraft. This is where I walk around the airplane to check the control surfaces, amount of fuel on board, and other systems in the aircraft. Once I reference the checklist to make sure everything is completed. My instructor will join me in the aircraft. We will do a runup to check the aircraft’s engine along with the instruments inside. As long as all the systems/instruments are working properly we make our radio call, taxi to the runway and take off! Our lessons are usually between 1.5-2 hours long and can consist of practicing holding procedures, going on cross countries (a flight that is 50 nautical miles long in one direction), or practicing approaches either at Bill and Hillary Clinton airport or other local airports. After we have completed all the objectives of the lesson we will head back to Conway. Once the aircraft is properly shut down, my instructor and I will sit down for our post-brief. This is where we talk about where the flight went well and where the flight could have been better. Sometimes we have ground lessons afterward, other days we do not. Ground lessons are 2hour segments of one on one time with an CFI. This is where most of my time is spent besides studying on my own. Ground lessons are extremely important because this is where you learn how to be a safe pilot. From deciphering weather charts, to aerodynamics, and learning the regulations of the sky.
BEGINNING INTERESTS
I was in engineering for all four years of high school. My original plan for college was to study aero-space engineering. However, one of my friends did an intro flight and asked me to come along. Once we took off, I immediately knew that aviation is what I wanted to pursue. I was part of the first cohort of students to enroll in the UCA Aviation Academy.
EVOLUTION OF INTERESTS
I always enjoyed engineering and science throughout high school. I briefly attended community college for half a semester in fall 2023. Throughout my time there I soon realized that I liked the challenges of engineering; however I was not passionate about the subject matter itself. When the UCA Aviation Academy opened, it was a good fit because I could pursue my pilot’s license without having to complete a four-year degree. This means I can get into my career quicker.
LOVE LEARNING
One thing I love about my position is the ability I have to connect with future generations and share my knowledge and passion for aviation.
SURPRISING BUT TRUE
Every aviator’s passion to share their knowledge. I have learned so much from sitting in the pilot lounge at the Conway Regional Airport listening to other pilots share their journey in aviation and offering tips and tricks that I would have had to learn through experience. Aviation is unforgiving and one mistake could easily be fatal. To hear and learn from experienced pilots who have lived through those moments is priceless.
ADVICE
Aviation is hard. That is why only one percent of the US are pilots and only one tenth of us are women. It will test you, always poking and prodding trying to find that crack, that fatal moment of doubt, but we endure with one common goal: to taste the freedom of flying.