Cover Story

Born to Fly

Yoni Gorlin
Photo by Ann Marie Quill

By Ann Marie Quill

Not only is Yoni Gorlin a spectacular student, graduating with honors from Yeshiva Atlanta with plans to attend Georgia Tech in the fall, but he's also getting ready to earn his pilot's license, thanks in part to a scholarship from the Civil Air Patrol unit at Peachtree-DeKalb Airport. Yoni talked to Julep about his plans for the future and how he intends to meld his flying aspirations with his education at Georgia Tech.

How did you decide on Georgia Tech? What degree will you pursue?

I am deeply intrigued by the intricate problems encountered in mathematics as well as the sense of challenge encountered when working with technology. Accordingly, Georgia Tech is known for their high academic standing in the fields of engineering and technology. I will feel right at home with those who share a similar passion and philosophy as my own. I am planning on majoring in aerospace engineering as it combines my love of flying with the problem-solving skills encountered in any engineering discipline.

What stage are you at in your flying lessons?

My summer had been set aside for day-to-day nonstop flying. However, many other activities with the Civil Air Patrol have slowed down my progress. I can happily say that I have crossed a certain milestone in flight training; I have soloed. This entitles me to fly the aircraft within the vicinity of the airport as the sole occupant. If everything continues at this pace, I expect to be fully licensed before the new year.

How will flying fit into your future?

In the short term, I plan on joining Georgia Tech's Yellow Jacket Flying Club. This will allow me to continue my training at a minimum cost. In the long term, I plan on majoring in aerospace engineering. Entering Georgia Tech with a pilot's perspective will help me succeed in this field as I will already have practical experience as well as classroom theory that pertains to pilots. Ultimately, I am committed and ready to join the U.S. Air Force through Tech's ROTC program. This is undoubtedly the best way to turn my hobby of flying into a career.

What were your accomplishments at Yeshiva, and how did the school help prepare or mold you?

With Yeshiva's incredible staff, both Judaic and secular, I received knowledge in all aspects of my life. My classmates and friends pushed me to reach my potential and ensured that I could succeed at what I set out to do. The small size of Yeshiva permitted unique learning and leadership opportunities that would not have been possible elsewhere. Additionally, by staying in a Jewish school, I have learned to fully appreciate my Judaism. All of these elements combined allowed me to graduate this year with honors as salutatorian.

Why fly?

There are numerous reasons why I love flying. Most importantly, I enjoy the challenge of learning how to fly. Unlike driving a car, flying requires technical skills, as well as flight theory. It is a specialized skill that must be constantly maintained, but the benefits are certainly worth the effort. I also find the sensation of flight to be fascinating; the feeling of being high in the sky and having a bird's eye view of the entire world below me is indescribable. Flying allows me to create my own path to my destination unlike driving, where one follows a predefined route. I firmly believe the old saying "the sky is the limit" and the possibilities are endless. I was born to fly and will hopefully continue to do so for the remainder of my life.