Brandon Lowe Essay

The first time I saw a Piper Cub taxi out for takeoff; I stopped what I was doing and just watched. It was simple. Classic. Purposeful. That moment stuck with me; an image of aviation stripped down to its essence. Ever since earning my Private Pilot Certificate, I’ve wanted more than just hours in a logbook. I want to fly with the kind of skill, respect, and connection to history that tailwheel aircraft demand. These aircraft represent a level of flying that’s personal, challenging, and rooted in legacy.

Tailwheel flying isn’t just a style, it’s a mindset. It's about managing energy, finesse, and precision. It’s about learning the fundamentals the hard way, the right way. When you're flying a taildragger, you can't rely on automation or convenience. You’re forced to engage, to anticipate, to react with intention. As I continue working toward my Commercial Certificate and eventually becoming a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), I want that kind of training to be part of my foundation. I don’t just want to be a certified pilot, I want to be a capable, confident, and versatile one who knows how to handle an aircraft in any condition.

My interest in aviation isn’t just professional, it’s deeply personal. I’m actively involved with my local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter, where I’ve learned that the beauty of aviation lies not just in flying, but in the hands-on, community-driven culture that surrounds it. These aircraft—many of them tailwheel—aren’t just old planes. They’re flying classrooms, time machines, and reminders of what makes aviation worth protecting.

The value of tailwheel training goes far beyond the endorsement itself. It's about mastering tailwheel-specific techniques like ground-loop awareness, dynamic crosswind corrections, and real rudder discipline, skills that were once standard and are now considered specialized. This kind of training elevates a pilot’s situational awareness and control across all types of aircraft.

Currently, I serve as a 911 Dispatcher for Pierce County, Washington. My job requires calm under pressure, fast thinking, and a strong sense of responsibility, all of which I bring to the cockpit. One of my near-term goals is to become a volunteer pilot for our Sheriff’s Department’s aerial support unit, operating under the call sign PIE1. At work, we call it “Pie in the Sky.” Having tailwheel proficiency would add another layer of capability to my flying, potentially allowing me to operate more types of aircraft and better support my community in the air.

Looking further ahead, I have a vision of creating a local experimental aircraft club, an inclusive, hands-on environment where people can collaborate on building, maintaining, and flying their own planes. I imagine a space where younger aviators, people from underserved communities, and anyone passionate about aviation can come together to learn, share, and fly. This initiative wouldn’t just preserve the spirit of experimental and vintage aviation, it would breathe new life into it. Tailwheel aircraft, with their simplicity and history, would be a perfect part of that mission.

Financially, this endorsement is a hurdle. As someone who’s funding my own training while working full-time in public safety, every step forward is measured. This scholarship would relieve a burden and allow me to focus on growing into the kind of pilot I aspire to be; one who’s connected to aviation’s past, engaged in its present, and contributing to its future. I’m not just seeking this endorsement for myself. I want to pass on what I learn. As a future CFI, I’m committed to giving my students more than just check ride prep. I want to teach them how to fly, in the fullest sense of the word. I want to introduce them to tailwheel flying, vintage aircraft, and the stories and people behind them. Whether through EAA’s Young Eagles program or mentoring at local events, I see this endorsement as a bridge between generations, between technologies, and between passion and professionalism.

The mission of the Northwest Antique Airplane Club to preserve and celebrate antique aircraft aligns with my aviation values. These aircraft aren’t museum pieces; they’re stories on wings, still teaching lessons every time they take off. With your support, I hope to join the pilots who keep these machines not just admired, but airborne.

Thank you for your consideration and for supporting aviators who believe in honoring the past by flying it into the future.

Sincerely,
Brandon Lowe of Olympia, Washington.
2025 Art Armstrong Memorial Tailwheel Endorsement Scholarship Winner ($3,000)