Peter Temesvary ’89
Student
I was an oddball in the Bates Program, because I already had my Private license in high school. When I applied for Bates, Mrs C told me that they want everyone to go through the full program and don’t accept students just for the second year. But I must have charmed her sufficiently that she gave me a chance. When she was in the Bay Area during the summer before my Junior year she agreed to fly with me and give me a chance. I just checked my logbook, and on July 22 and 24 she flew a total of 3.8 hours with me in 7262Q. I remember those lessons vividly, because it was during those flights that she turned me into a real pilot! Until then I had been a very timid pilot, sometimes even afraid of being Pilot in Command. But her gentle encouragement on those two days brought out a self-confidence that I hadn’t had before! And she even signed me off for a Biannual Flight Review 🙂
I had a few more flights with my Dad that summer, and my first Bates lesson was on Aug 31st where I had to pass my Bates I stage checks with her. I don’t recall this, but according to my logbook she must have wanted to keep a close eye on this non-Bates trained pilot, because I flew my first 8-10 lessons with her, until my first stage check, after which she handed me over that November to the wonderful guidance of Barb Filkins (@Barb, you were an amazing instructor too! Thank you!). Mrs. C was my simulator instructor all the way through the program – I don’t think I’ve ever sweat so much sitting at a desk.
What an amazing lady, instructor, mentor. Such an honor to have had the privilege to have flown with Mrs C. Looking at all her remarks in my logbook brings a smile and a tear of appreciation!
PS: in all these years I never knew that there was a 8396X in Bates. It’s uncanny that my Archer is 8369X.
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