Jeff Eid ’81

Bates Aero class of '79-'80

While Critch was my primary flight instructor in 42G, Mrs. C was my ground school instructor and check pilot usually in 62Q. She was incredible in so many respects, and her enthusiasm for life and hard work had an indelible impact on me. I will always value her friendship, her wisdom, her passion, and her care for others and availability to talk when needed. Such an amazing woman was a beautiful gift to so many individuals, and to the world. With deep gratitude, what a privilege and joy it was to study under her and to know her as instructor, mentor, and friend. God bless you Iris!

Peter Temesvary ’89

Student

I was an oddball in the Bates Program, because I already had my Private license in high school. When I applied for Bates, Mrs C told me that they want everyone to go through the full program and don’t accept students just for the second year. But I must have charmed her sufficiently that she gave me a chance. When she was in the Bay Area during the summer before my Junior year she agreed to fly with me and give me a chance. I just checked my logbook, and on July 22 and 24 she flew a total of 3.8 hours with me in 7262Q. I remember those lessons vividly, because it was during those flights that she turned me into a real pilot! Until then I had been a very timid pilot, sometimes even afraid of being Pilot in Command. But her gentle encouragement on those two days brought out a self-confidence that I hadn’t had before! And she even signed me off for a Biannual Flight Review 🙂

I had a few more flights with my Dad that summer, and my first Bates lesson was on Aug 31st where I had to pass my Bates I stage checks with her. I don’t recall this, but according to my logbook she must have wanted to keep a close eye on this non-Bates trained pilot, because I flew my first 8-10 lessons with her, until my first stage check, after which she handed me over that November to the wonderful guidance of Barb Filkins (@Barb, you were an amazing instructor too! Thank you!). Mrs. C was my simulator instructor all the way through the program – I don’t think I’ve ever sweat so much sitting at a desk.

What an amazing lady, instructor, mentor. Such an honor to have had the privilege to have flown with Mrs C. Looking at all her remarks in my logbook brings a smile and a tear of appreciation!

PS: in all these years I never knew that there was a 8396X in Bates. It’s uncanny that my Archer is 8369X.

Robert Kelley ’67

Bates Aero 3

When I was accepted for the Bates Program at Harvy Mudd in my sophomore year, I was excited that I was going to learn to fly. That had been an unachievable goal for me, but Isabel Bates’ generosity made it a realistic goal. In the beginning I didn’t realize that the end goal was to challenge young men in many ways, help them find potential and make them very responsible in a field where mistakes are not acceptable.

I also had no idea I was about to embark on a journey with two exceptional and dedicated individuals: Iris and Howard Critchell. This husband-and-wife team had the same vison as each other and Ms. Bates. It was about character and learning. Precision and safety. Pushing capabilities responsibly but respecting limits. Being a team member of our class of 9 students as well as the 9 students in the class ahead of us.

In short it became a family more than just a flying program. The Critchells treated us as family and we often did events together, dinners at there home. And several exciting extra events like visiting the Palmdale ATC, Edwards AFB, NASA Ames and meeting legendary aviation pioneers there. Not to mention that Iris herself was a legendary aviation pioneer. When I met her, she was only 46 years old! And had already accomplished as much in the cockpit as any member of her generation. She was an inspiration.

I haven’t been to California for quite a few years now but I tried to visit the Critchells whenever I did. Iris clearly acquired more years in her certificates but she never seemed to get old. My wife met her for the first time when 80-something Iris was emerging from her daily swim in Claremont. Sparkle and spirit were always there: in my case I saw it in our last email exchange in January.

I mentioned in the introduction that the Bates Program was focused on young men. That was Ms. Bates’ decision and the Foundation was her gift. It was obvious that Iris chaffed at this restriction. Her response was to include several young women from the Claremont Colleges family and unofficially make them part of the family in later years of the program. I’m sure that we were family with many of them and they showed the same love of aviation and independence as the boys did!

I thank Iris for making me who I am today. Some of it is technical: VORs, ATC, stalls and spins, safe arrivals, situational awareness, being precise but flexible when things go wrong. It helps me be a better citizen when I listen to aviation news. Informed, aware and cautious. And much more subjectively, a sense of my own capabilities, limitations and partnerships.

Iris and Critch were selfless and very special. We lost Critch 10 years ago. And we knew that we would lose Iris as those three-digit birthdays accumulated. Despite the sense of loss I am just very happy that I knew them, benefited from their wisdom and am a better person for their friendships.