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Like Father, Like Son
Scholarship Recipient and Dad Learning to Fly at Same Time
Gabe Nicholson of Solon, and his dad, Ben braving the cold with one of Green Castle's tried and true Cessna 172s
March 19, 2023
by Steve Pradarelli
You could say flying is in the Nicholson family’s blood.
Ben’s grandfather was a private pilot, and when Ben was young he used to fly with him on occasion in a Cessna 172 or a Piper Arrow.
In college, Ben wanted to take flying lessons, but like many people at that stage of life, he lacked time and money. Eventually he got into real estate and started a family.
That’s where his son, Gabe, 17, comes in. When Gabe and his 13-year old sister were younger, the Nicholsons used to fly commercial out to Ben’s in-laws’ home in Seattle, and Gabe started getting an interest in aviation, too.
After some Young Eagles flights through the Experimental Aircraft Association, Gabe, a student at Solon High School, learned about the Green Castle Aero Club Foundation’s scholarship program, which covers 50 percent of flight training up to $5,000.
Following Gabe’s lead, Ben figured it was high time he got his private pilot’s license, too. So now they’re both working on getting their ticket, dad Ben with Green Castle instructor, CFII Brian Rohr, usually in 84455, and son Gabe with CFI Ed Brecht usually in 7717U.
“Brian suggested that if I flew with him and Gabe flew with Ed, we could go flying at the same time,” Ben said. “That made sense on paper, but because of our schedules, I don’t think we’ve been able to make that work yet.”
Dad and son also took different paths to prepare for their written exam. Dad chose the John and Martha King materials, while son picked Sporty’s.
Because of their busy schedules, the two don’t have much time to study together, either.
Still, they’re each making progress in their own way. Ben is hoping to schedule his written test soon, while Gabe says he still needs to study a bit more, especially since he also has to balance homework, hockey, and archery at Solon High.
So what is it about aviation that interests them most?
Gabe says he likes the idea of gaining experience in something that’s like anything else. He’s also excited about using his flying to travel to new places and see the world from a different perspective. If things go well, he said, he might make a career out of aviation as a commercial pilot.
For Ben, “I just find something about it that’s very relaxing--even though you’re focused on a lot of things while you’re flying.”
As for the most challenging part of flight training? Landings for Gabe; uncooperative weather for Ben. Despite the challenges, Gabe has accrued more than 20 hours of flying time, and Ben has about 50 in his logbook.
So what are the chances Gabe’s mom and sister might follow in their footsteps?
Not great, Gabe says. “I don’t think my sister has any interest in flying,” he said, “and mom gets motion sick.”
by Steve Pradarelli
You could say flying is in the Nicholson family’s blood.
Ben’s grandfather was a private pilot, and when Ben was young he used to fly with him on occasion in a Cessna 172 or a Piper Arrow.
In college, Ben wanted to take flying lessons, but like many people at that stage of life, he lacked time and money. Eventually he got into real estate and started a family.
That’s where his son, Gabe, 17, comes in. When Gabe and his 13-year old sister were younger, the Nicholsons used to fly commercial out to Ben’s in-laws’ home in Seattle, and Gabe started getting an interest in aviation, too.
After some Young Eagles flights through the Experimental Aircraft Association, Gabe, a student at Solon High School, learned about the Green Castle Aero Club Foundation’s scholarship program, which covers 50 percent of flight training up to $5,000.
Following Gabe’s lead, Ben figured it was high time he got his private pilot’s license, too. So now they’re both working on getting their ticket, dad Ben with Green Castle instructor, CFII Brian Rohr, usually in 84455, and son Gabe with CFI Ed Brecht usually in 7717U.
“Brian suggested that if I flew with him and Gabe flew with Ed, we could go flying at the same time,” Ben said. “That made sense on paper, but because of our schedules, I don’t think we’ve been able to make that work yet.”
Dad and son also took different paths to prepare for their written exam. Dad chose the John and Martha King materials, while son picked Sporty’s.
Because of their busy schedules, the two don’t have much time to study together, either.
Still, they’re each making progress in their own way. Ben is hoping to schedule his written test soon, while Gabe says he still needs to study a bit more, especially since he also has to balance homework, hockey, and archery at Solon High.
So what is it about aviation that interests them most?
Gabe says he likes the idea of gaining experience in something that’s like anything else. He’s also excited about using his flying to travel to new places and see the world from a different perspective. If things go well, he said, he might make a career out of aviation as a commercial pilot.
For Ben, “I just find something about it that’s very relaxing--even though you’re focused on a lot of things while you’re flying.”
As for the most challenging part of flight training? Landings for Gabe; uncooperative weather for Ben. Despite the challenges, Gabe has accrued more than 20 hours of flying time, and Ben has about 50 in his logbook.
So what are the chances Gabe’s mom and sister might follow in their footsteps?
Not great, Gabe says. “I don’t think my sister has any interest in flying,” he said, “and mom gets motion sick.”
2021 Antique, Vintage, & Experimental Fly-In
June 6, 2021
Green Castle Aero Club wants to thank all of the pilots and visitors who took part in our first-ever, and hopefully annual, Antique, Vintage & Experimental Fly-In/Drive-In June 5 at the Oxford, Iowa-based flying club.
Despite the windy weather, the event was a huge success. More than 20 airplanes from all over Iowa, and even Wisconsin, flew in to showcase their beautiful planes. We also had lines of people waiting for rides in our club planes throughout the day.
Four awards were given for exceptional aircraft. The Oldest Airplane Award went to Tim Scheer of Cedar Rapids for his 1929 Fleet Model 2. The Long Distance Award was given to Webster City resident Michael Tindall, who flew 104 miles in his 1953 Cessna 170B. And People’s Choice Awards were given to David Yeoman of Mount Vernon for his Cessna 195, and to John Ockenfels of Iowa City for his Stearman.
Our fly-in wouldn’t have been a success without everyone’s participation, and we enjoyed the opportunity to show off our airport, see some incredible aircraft, meet some new and familiar faces, and spend time sharing our love of aviation.
Thank you for helping make Green Castle’s first fly-in a memorable experience. We hope to see all of you again next year!
Green Castle Aero Club wants to thank all of the pilots and visitors who took part in our first-ever, and hopefully annual, Antique, Vintage & Experimental Fly-In/Drive-In June 5 at the Oxford, Iowa-based flying club.
Despite the windy weather, the event was a huge success. More than 20 airplanes from all over Iowa, and even Wisconsin, flew in to showcase their beautiful planes. We also had lines of people waiting for rides in our club planes throughout the day.
Four awards were given for exceptional aircraft. The Oldest Airplane Award went to Tim Scheer of Cedar Rapids for his 1929 Fleet Model 2. The Long Distance Award was given to Webster City resident Michael Tindall, who flew 104 miles in his 1953 Cessna 170B. And People’s Choice Awards were given to David Yeoman of Mount Vernon for his Cessna 195, and to John Ockenfels of Iowa City for his Stearman.
Our fly-in wouldn’t have been a success without everyone’s participation, and we enjoyed the opportunity to show off our airport, see some incredible aircraft, meet some new and familiar faces, and spend time sharing our love of aviation.
Thank you for helping make Green Castle’s first fly-in a memorable experience. We hope to see all of you again next year!
Green Castle Aero Club wants to thank all of the pilots and visitors who took part in our first-ever, and hopefully annual, Antique, Vintage & Experimental Fly-In/Drive-In June 5 at the Oxford, Iowa-based flying club.
Despite the windy weather, the event was a huge success. More than 20 airplanes from all over Iowa, and even Wisconsin, flew in to showcase their beautiful planes. We also had lines of people waiting for rides in our club planes throughout the day.
Four awards were given for exceptional aircraft. The Oldest Airplane Award went to Tim Scheer of Cedar Rapids for his 1929 Fleet Model 2. The Long Distance Award was given to Webster City resident Michael Tindall, who flew 104 miles in his 1953 Cessna 170B. And People’s Choice Awards were given to David Yeoman of Mount Vernon for his Cessna 195, and to John Ockenfels of Iowa City for his Stearman.
Our fly-in wouldn’t have been a success without everyone’s participation, and we enjoyed the opportunity to show off our airport, see some incredible aircraft, meet some new and familiar faces, and spend time sharing our love of aviation.
Thank you for helping make Green Castle’s first fly-in a memorable experience. We hope to see all of you again next year!
Green Castle Aero Club wants to thank all of the pilots and visitors who took part in our first-ever, and hopefully annual, Antique, Vintage & Experimental Fly-In/Drive-In June 5 at the Oxford, Iowa-based flying club.
Despite the windy weather, the event was a huge success. More than 20 airplanes from all over Iowa, and even Wisconsin, flew in to showcase their beautiful planes. We also had lines of people waiting for rides in our club planes throughout the day.
Four awards were given for exceptional aircraft. The Oldest Airplane Award went to Tim Scheer of Cedar Rapids for his 1929 Fleet Model 2. The Long Distance Award was given to Webster City resident Michael Tindall, who flew 104 miles in his 1953 Cessna 170B. And People’s Choice Awards were given to David Yeoman of Mount Vernon for his Cessna 195, and to John Ockenfels of Iowa City for his Stearman.
Our fly-in wouldn’t have been a success without everyone’s participation, and we enjoyed the opportunity to show off our airport, see some incredible aircraft, meet some new and familiar faces, and spend time sharing our love of aviation.
Thank you for helping make Green Castle’s first fly-in a memorable experience. We hope to see all of you again next year!
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Great Tips for Sticking with New Year's Resolutions from a Fellow AOPA Member
Features Member, Stephen Pradarelli
GO >> CLUB SPOTLIGHT-Field of Dreams:
Iowa's Green Castle Aero Club
GO >> Aviation Heroes Honored at Hoover Trophy Reception:
Features Member, Ramone Hemphill
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