SERVICE TO GENERAL AVIATION
Mason Hopkins
BIO
Hi, I am a private pilot looking to further my flying education and to help others find what they are looking for in aviation as well.  I am aspiring to work in aviation and be a positive piece in the complex operations that sustain the industry.  Currently I attend SUU working towards a bachelors of Interdisciplinary studies in Business and Aviation.  I would also someday hope to run an FBO or small airport and I believe  those areas of focus with enough experience will enable me to do that.  I see myself doing well in this industry and enjoying performing and flying safely.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Perpetuating the Dream
I believe in service and I love General Aviation or flying for fun. My plan is broken up into 3 parts: learning about the industry, inspiring, and giving service. I offered service to a few of the small airports in the southern Utah region. I interviewed the airport managers to get a good idea of what to expect in this small yet dynamic sub-industry.  I want to continue to introduce others to aviation like someone did to me. Part of this I taught youth about aviation and let them see the airport, planes, and answered their questions. Overall I hope to continue to contribute to General Aviation so General Aviation is there for the next generation as well.
PROJECT DETAILS
Inspire. Serve. Learn
I traveled to small airports and conducted interviews and cleaned a lot of planes. I was blessed to be able to help with a lot of maintenance at the SUU hangar in assisting the mechanics in their work as well as volunteering in the Logistics department. I helped a lot with hangar chores and contributed to the efficiency of their maintenance operations. I gave a tour to 23 youth a few adults in the local area. I gave information on how to pursue flight training, careers in aviation, ways to pay for flight training and did my best to bust any anti-aviation myths. I helped to improve part of a public view of SUU aviation as they have had many noise complaints. I explained the vision of SUU aviation and helped them see what SUU wants to do for the community.
THE LARGER PICTURE
PROJECT
Finishing My Degree
As stated in my Bio, I am hoping to get my degree in Business and Aviation, there are a lot of hoops to jump through and many things to do.  Having completed my EDGE project, I know I have made a positive difference.
PROJECT
Qualifying for Military Service
Flying is expensive, and flight training at SUU is more expensive. Â I hope to qualify for military service to hopefully fly for the military as a cargo pilot or just serve.
PROJECT
Furthering my flying
All skills become rusty, I have to continue to fly in order to not lose them. Â I fly with a friend in Hurricane from Stout airfield and by myself at Above View Aviation at the St. George Airport.
REFLECTIONS
While doing my project, one of the biggest things I thought of is immensity of the work and skill that goes into aviation. I work with many mechanics who are exceptionally skilled at very obscure tasks. It takes a lot to keep a plane flying safely and a lot to fly safely even in General Aviation operations. I can only hope and work hard to become one of those skilled individuals whom I look up to. Behind most cockpits in the commercial aviation world are people who have spent a lot of time training and becoming experts in their work. I am glad that I am doing something that is needed and noticed and that I was able to help out a few individuals.
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Aviation is a small world, a tight knit community where you can feel a connection with almost any other flier. I absolutely loved getting to know some of these experienced individuals and hearing their stories. I thought about a lot about my own personal and future journey further into aviation. I realized its absolutely important that I retain an attitude to enjoy learning and seek out new opportunities that push my limitations in a safe way.
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Part of this project helped me gain a better vision of what I want in aviation. I was able to talk with experienced people and this gave me a lot of hope that I can accomplish what I want.
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I learned that I love introducing people to aviation. I love showing interested people the things I love so much. I gave a lot of undocumented tours for my project and was able to teach youth about aviation. I realized that I learned a lot about taking care of planes and about airport. I would like to possibly run a small airport someday or a FBO, this gave me a good vision of what I need to do.
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I realized that airports are a great resource for people to talk to in learning about how to get more involved in aviation. I learned about the Civil Air Patrol and how I could get involved and a few ways to get more flight hours.
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PHOTOS
Gallery Subtitle
These are just a few of the pictures I took of the tour group, the aircraft I cleaned, and the maintenance projects I was involved in.
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"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will always long to return"