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Tuesday, February 13, 1990 / University Daily Kansan
Brad Ramspott, Ballwin, Mo., freshman, files a Cessna 152.
A view of a plane owned by John Roper, Lawrence senior, as it crosses the Kansas River near Lawrence.
Aviators prepared to launch flight club
By Steve Bailey
Kansan staff writer
If John Roper, a certified flight instructor, had his way, every person would have the opportunity to learn to fly a plane.
"The club is a way for pilots to keep up proficiency and beginners to get their license cheaply." Roper said.
Roper is trying to put this ambition into action by forming the KU Flying Club, an organization for pilots and instructors of every level of experience.
The first meeting of the KU Flying Club is tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. in 2022 Learned Hall.
The club also is looking for any licensed pilots or flight instructors to assist with club instruction.
Roper, Lawrence senior, said the club also would provide opportunities for those not interested in actually flying a plane.
"Students who just want to go up in a plane with a pilot and enjoy the ride can also find flying very rewarding," he said.
Roper taught private flight
Students earn pilot licenses as part of new campus group
aeronautics for the School of Engineering last semester and has taught other flight-related classes on his own. He said the club would be a way for students to obtain a license at minimal cost.
"Any student who is interested can become involved with flying," he said. "Usually cost is the only setback. The club will offer services
much cheaper than at an airport."
Roper said the total cost of obtaining a pilot's license was about $1,600. Through the club, flying costs are about $12 an hour, compared to $19 an hour at Lawrence Municipal Airport.
"Besides being a lot of fun, flying introduces a completely new world to people," he said. "Many more opportunities are open to someone with a
license."
Roper said flying could save time for businessmen, lawyers, real estate agents or students traveling home for the weekend.
"A trip to St. Louis, which would take about four hours by car, only takes an hour and 15 minutes," he said. "Flying is advantageous for people who travel and are on a tight time schedule."
Link Newton, Omaha, Neb., junior said he became interested in flying because he liked planes. Newton said
having his license helped him understand concepts as he worked toward his degree in engineering.
Wes, Ryan, Overland Park graduate student, said he had been flying since last summer and now was working toward his license.
"Flying in a smaller plane is a different experience from flying on an airline," said Ryan, one of Roper's eight flight students from KU. "It's kind of like the difference between driving a Cadillac and a sports car on a bumpy road. It is definitely exciting."
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