FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 31, 2023
Sandya Narayanswami, PhD
General Aviation Awards
Info@GeneralAviationAwards.org
GAA announces the appointment of Mary Schu as newest member of the board
Versailles, Kentucky - January 30, 2023 - The General Aviation Awards Board of Directors has announced the addition of
Mary Schu is a professional pilot with over 45 years of industry experience. Mary began her career at Troutdale airport in Oregon after leaving her job as a special education teacher. With over 22,000 flying hours, Mary has flown for corporations and not-for-profit organizations and as an instructor, helping hundreds of pilots gain certificates and ratings. She also conducts flight instructor refresher courses across the United States.
Mary holds single and multi-engine ATP certificates, jet-type ratings, and commercial single engine sea ratings, as well as all airplane flight instructor certificates. She is a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) and has conducted thousands of practical tests for all types of certifications and ratings.
Mary has owned and operated her own aviation business, which includes being an FAA 135 Chief Pilot and line pilot, a part 141 Chief Flight Instructor, and owner of a part 145 maintenance facility. Her work experience ranges from flying fire-reconnaissance flights for the U.S. Forest Service to acting as Flight Department Manager and Chief Pilot for Kansas State University, and flying for various corporations such as Les Schwab Tires, Baney Corp. and Pepsi Cola.
Mary has been an Accident Prevention Counselor and FAASTeam representative for years and is an aviation consultant, providing guidance and technical writing, and support for FAA Part 141 Flight schools and Part 135 charters wishing to begin a program. In her spare time, Mary also flies World War II bombers with warbird groups and holds an SIC type rating in both the B17 and B25.
Mary is a member of various aviation organizations, including the 99s, National Association of Flight Instructors, Oregon Pilots Association, EAA, Cascades Warbirds, and AOPA. In 2015, Mary was selected as the General Aviation Flight Instructor of the Year and received the Northwest Spirit of Aviation award. In the past, Mary has acted as a judge for the General Aviation Award. Please help us welcome Mary to our Board.
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