You see him in the hallways every day and maybe even have him for a class, but there is more beneath the surface than just teaching. Joshua Ballard is a teacher loved by the Lakeland High School community and teaches physical science and physics, but what many people do not know is he has been working hard to become a pilot.
Aside from teaching and helping students, Ballard became a student himself in March 2023 and started flight school.
“The town I grew up in had a flight school nearby and I would see them all the time,” Ballard said, “I thought it would be a cool thing to do.”
Ballard started his journey with a lot of research on flight schools and which one he wanted to attend. His decision eventually landed on Action Aviation. He went in and inquired not long after to get more information, and once again went straight back into researching.
“The flight school said: show up and we will do your first lesson, it was very casual,” Ballard said.
His instructor Chase Gardom taught him all the lessons he needed and showed him how to stay mentally sharp. He pushed Ballard to the best of his abilities and taught him how to maintain stress in the air.
“You really have to be mentally sharp because you’re multitasking in a plane and doing a million different things, mistakes are critical,” Ballard said.
Ballard flew 3-4 times a week during the summer and eventually got comfortable with being up in the air.
Aside from the schooling and all of the research to learn how to become a pilot there are other strict rules they need to follow. Things like staying active and fit, getting good sleep, being careful about drinking, and many more are crucial when flying a plane.
Pilots get full medicals every year which check that they are staying healthy and fit to be flying. Testing things like your vision and hearing, along with others like your heart and physical health.
It is very improtant to be to the best of your ability as a pilot. Being self aware and maintaining a good build and mindset is one of the many regulations pilots constanlty have to follow.
Starting a Piloting school can be a struggle from the money to even just the school itself. Lots of students worry every year if they would be able to do it, and some even drop out before they’re given the chance.
People starting Piloting school in Idaho expect to pay about $3,000 to $5,000 and that is usually the least amount of money to get started.
“It is an investment but it is one you will never regret, and even though it is incredibly hard work the reward of being able to fly and knowing you did that is like a reward” Ballard said.
Money and self doubt play a big role in future careers and people ending up in an unhappy position. Take the risk and see what you can do, because in most cases it is more than you think. If you’re looking to become a pilot or start soon take the chance and do not look back.
“A piece of advice I would tell someone who wants to be a pilot or start schooling is to take a discovery flight. Call a few places up and they will schedule you a time, they take you up there and even give you control to get that feel, then decide if it is for you or not” Ballard said.
