L to R: Jared Granzow, James Bond, Katara Zachmann (Isaac’s mother), Bill Rettig and Mark Martin, COSA president.
The Central Ohio Soaring Association (COSA) recently held its annual awards banquet. COSA is a working club of glider pilots and students that fly at the Marion Municipal Airport.
Dr. Ali Rikabi was Student of the Year for obtaining his glider commercial rating and contributions to the club.
The Mark Savage Young Pilot Award is given to a young glider student in memory of Mark Savage, a founding member of COSA whose personal commitment to youth involved in the club gave them the opportunity to accomplish their flying goals. Isaac Zachmann, age 13, received the Mark Savage Young Pilot Award. Mark Savage’s daughter, Peggy, presented this award.
Tyro awards recognize brand new pilots that expand their knowledge by flying longer, higher and farther. The Tyro Altitude Award went to Jared Granzow who soared to 6500 feet above the ground. The Tyro Duration went to Jared Granzow who stayed aloft for 5.8 hours. Tyro Pilot of the Year also went to Jared Granzow who had 42 flights for the year.
Pro Awards go to seasoned pilots that have flown thousands of miles and soared high and long. The ProAwards for Altitude, Distance, Duration and Pilot of the Year all went to Joe Simmers for flights he accomplished in Nevada. He reached an altitude of up to 18,000 feet, a distance of 582 miles and had flight duration of 8.4 hours.
Tow Pilot of the Year was awarded to Bill Rettig in recognition of the many safe tows he provided to fellow club glider pilots. Bill Rettig, a long time Marion resident, owns his own consulting firm and is a retired engineer from Marion Power and Shovel. He is also a private pilot for airplane and glider.
The Paul Wolfe Award recognizes someone in the club that dedicates a lot of time to the club helping out when needed. Paul Wolfe is a glider pilot instructor and Airplane & Powerplant Mechanic spending many hours himself maintaining club equipment and mentoring members. James Bond received the Paul Wolfe Award in recognition of his contributions to the club.
COSA is a ‘working club’ which means that everyone participates in supporting the club and the member whose turn it is to fly. Each member contributes whatever skills he or she may have to support club operations.
COSA members come from all walks of life. The membership list includes airline pilots, military pilots, former test pilots, corporate pilots, commercial pilots, private power pilots, glider only pilots, and glider pilot students. However, the largest percentage of members is people with no prior flying experience who decided they wanted to learn to fly gliders.
COSA says gliders are an excellent way to learn to fly and several members have gone on to obtain power and instructors ratings.
More information is available at www.marionairport.com/COSA or by contacting Katara Zachmann, club secretary, at (740) 396-8177.
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