On February 21, 2022 Shea Sullivan walked into my office to receive five hours of simulated instrument training, in the Redbird simulator, that is a necessary requirement to receive a Commercial Helicopter rating.
As we talked she shared that her goals were to become a Flight Instructor-Helicopter, fixed wing Private Pilot with Instrument privileges, to be followed by an add-on Commercial rating for fixed wing, and then get her A&P rating so that she could work on the aircraft that she flew. All of this so that she could have an opportunity to interview for her “dream job” as a pilot and Warden for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Needless to say I was impressed with her energy and commitment and enjoyed the time that we spent together. All this from a not yet twenty year old who was absolutely clear as to what she wanted to achieve.
When we finished her training I wished her all the best and let her know that I would love to help her along this path. She smiled and said that she would be back for her instrument training. Time moves on and there were times when I wondered how she was doing.
We began her instrument training on February 11, 2025, almost three years to the day since we last trained together. By this time, she had completed her fixed wing Private Pilot rating and was a CFI-Helicopter with almost 1100 hours of dual given, all this before her twenty-fourth birthday.
On Sunday June 8, 2025 Shea completed her instrument check ride. It was an absolute joy guiding her through this process. She was always prepared, asked questions and was joyful throughout the training, even when the learning was challenging. Her experience as a flight instructor gave her insight into her own training and learning and as we navigated through the various elements of the rating she was able to assess her performance in such a way that made my role as her coach and facilitator of learning very positive. I am looking forward to our path towards her fixed wing Commercial add-on.
