Lakeland Aero Club members are set to depart for Ostrow, Poland for the 13th Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Junior World Gliding Championship in Ostrow, Poland. The competition will be held July 13 through 27. The five-member team consists of the glider pilot, Steven Tellman, and the support crew: Qwest Hipps, Dallas Hurd, Kenneth Turbeville, and Matthew Turbeville.
The Lakeland Aero Club is a non-profit high school flying club focused on developing members’ interest in all aspects of the aviation industry. Its mission is to provide opportunities for today’s youth with hands-on experience in restoring, maintaining, and flying antique general aviation airplanes, and to aid in making Tomorrow’s Greatest Aviators Today.
At the Junior World Gliding Championship, glider pilots vie to win awards and recognition for speed and distance. The competition is held every other year in a different country. This year, 67 glider pilots from 21 countries will showcase their flying skills and jockey for soaring awards. Tellman is one of five pilots representing the United States. He is the youngest glider pilot in the history of American competitors. In order to qualify to compete the World Championship, Tellman was required to earn badges and compete in regional meetings prior to the competition in Poland. For more information about the Lakeland Aero Club and how to donate toward their extraordinary trip to Poland, please contact the Lakeland Aero Club President, Mike Zidziunas at 863-777-4668 or mike.z@lakelandaeroclub.org.
