The Blue Angels arrive next week. The first to land is the #7 jet, two-seat F/A-18B that flies media to promote the upcoming air show. South Seattle Community College math and engineer professor, Heidi Lyman of Normandy Park, was nominated, then selected, to take an hour-plus, high G-force flight. She said she does not know the Navy recruiter who nominated her. She had to take a physical and other health tests, including swimming 100 yards without stopping and running two miles in under 20 minutes, and write an essay read by the pilots themselves. The other planes follow, next Tuesday.
Here is that essay:
I have a BS and MS in aerospace engineering from the University of Washington. I worked at Boeing as a structural engineer on the AWACS program from 1985 to 1990. I then started teaching both math and engineering at the community college level where I am currently working today. I teach new concepts by demonstrating real life problems that use these concepts. My students seem to really enjoy hearing about my experiences and how I use math in my daily life or how I used it as an engineer.
I often talk about the equations of motion in space as position, velocity and acceleration, using examples such as bike riding, skiing, sky diving and bungee jumping. If I have the opportunity to fly with the Blue Angels, that will be an incredible example to use. I love to tell stories in class and demonstrate the math involved. As the math coordinator at South Seattle Community College, I advise students on a regular basis. At the community college we often get students who are motivated but do not know what direction to head. Students interested in engineering and math often come and talk to me about career options. I would be able to tell them about my educational background and my flight with the Blue Angels and the job opportunities with the Navy.
My husband and I are actively involved with The Boy Scouts of America. Our two boys are 19 and 21 and both have reached the rank of Eagle Scout. We continue to volunteer to help and mentor the younger scouts. My husband is the outdoor activity planner for our troop. We both take the boy scouts on multiple day adventures from 50 plus mile hikes to canoeing the Bow Ron lakes in Canada. If chosen, I will be able to tell the boy scouts about my Blue Angel adventure. My husband, who is an aerodynamic engineer, teaches the aviation merit badge to boy scouts from around the region. If I get the opportunity to fly I will be able to talk about the experience at merit badge classes.
While I am writing this I do not know what will be more fun, flying with the Blue Angels or telling all my students and the boy scouts of my wonderful exhilarating experience.
Thank you for considering me as a potential passenger with the Blue Angels!
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The West Seattle Herald spoke to Heidi Lyman today about her upcoming adventure:
"I was born in Nuremberg, Germany. My father taught at the Department of Defense in the Army. He now teaches math and astronomy at Spokane Falls Community College. He's pretty excited because he has done doctorate work in astronomy. It has always been one of his passions in life. That's part of why I went into aerospace engineering. I love math and astronomy and the two go together.
"I was honored and excited to be accepted. I didn't expect it. I didn't even know it was a possibility. I'm a little nervous right now. People throw up, and you can pass out. Three days prior to the flight you have to stay hydrated, eat a real healthy diet, sleep eight hours minimum and no alcohol. The morning of the flight, a very light breakfast, and avoid drinking a lot of water. There is no bathroom in that cockpit.
"Overcoming fear is an issue with my flight, and my students. Like the three days prior to my flight, I might have fear but I do what they tell me and know I am qualified to fly. A lot of students have fear over math, and math tests. I teach them that these are the things to do to prepare you, and that there are plenty of resources here at the college to help you."
