Sky is the limit for Salem’s aspiring ‘Top Gun’ Laney Fillman

As a defensive specialist for Salem’s volleyball team, Laney Fillman flies around the court with effervescence, doing her best to keep opposing hitters’ swings from turning into points-generating kills.

This past summer, the Rocks’ 16-year-old Energizer Bunny was flying (literally) thousands of feet above south-central California, piloting a Cessna 270 airplane (at times solo) as she took off toward her dream of one day becoming a test pilot for the United States Air Force.

For three weeks, Fillman was a student in the prestigious Aim High Flight Academy, whose goal is to “inform, influence, and inspire the next generation of aviators and leaders,” AHFA’s website states. “After completion of the AHFA, students will understand the pathways to become an Air Force officer, aviator and earn up to 15 flight hours.”

Patriotic family

Fillman’s love of flight is in her DNA. Her father, Colonel Richard Fillman, is a retired Air Force veteran whose distinguished 30-year career included serving as a U.S. Air Force logistician in Afghanistan and Iraq in the months after the 9/11 attacks against the United States.

Laney’s mother, Donna Fillman, is a U.S. Immigration Services Officer for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“I grew up in a patriotic family,” Fillman said, when asked about her lofty test-pilot aspirations. “I believe that, if you can, you should serve your country in some way, shape or form.

“Serving as a test pilot would be a perfect career for me because I love being in the sky. It’s so peaceful. Being at the controls of an airplane is not simple, but once you get used to it, your muscle memory takes over.”

She’s a natural

Fillman completed her three-week AHFA stint with flying colors, embracing the challenges that come with learning how to pilot an airplane — even ones that aren’t traveling fast enough to create dangerous G-forces.

Just getting accepted to AHFA is daunting as only 10% of applicants are accepted.

“My first day at Aim High we learned in ground school about how to deal with emergencies,” Fillman said. “For instance, how to handle a stall. While I was at the controls (thousands of feet in the air), my CFI (certified flight instructor) cut the plane’s power so I could learn how to react in case of a stall.

“There was definitely a little fear factor early on, but you have to learn how to persevere if something bad happens.”

A rare feat

While general aviation rules require pilots to log 50 hours of flight with an instructor before flying solo, Fillman earned an exception thanks in part to her savvy grasp of the aviation skills she learned quickly at AHFA — and pre-Aim High endorsements she received from two endorsees, one of whom was the father of a childhood friend who was a test pilot in the Air Force (and currently a U.S. Air Force General).

“My dad was asked to speak at an Aim High graduation ceremony, so he flew out to watch me solo,” Fillman said.

“I could tell he was a little nervous. He called me and said, ‘Please be safe. If you don’t feel like you can do it, don’t do it’.”

She did it. Flawlessly.

Salem’s Top Gun

“When I was in my Aim High flight suit, it made me feel like a ‘Top Gun’ pilot,” Fillman said, smiling. “Myself and the other students even gave each other call signs like in the movie. Mine was ‘Tex’ because I’m originally from Texas and I’d break into a southern accent sometimes while talking on the radio.”

Fillman soars on the volleyball court, too, as the Rocks’ starting libero. She was introduced to the sport as an 8-year-old in suburban Washington, D.C.

“I loved it right away,” she said. “My mom had offers to play Division 1 college volleyball, so I’m sure that had something to do with it.”

During a typical match, Fillman will slide fearlessly across gym floors, digging out would-be-kills with fluid point-extending dives.

“I like how as a libero I can help control the pace of the game,” she said. “My goal is to speed up the pace. If I’m the quickest player on the team, then our tempo will be quick.”

Genuine leader

Fillman’s on-court enthusiasm is contagious as she encourages her teammates during good times and bad.

“My nicknames on my club team are spark plug and The Energizer Bunny,” she shared. “If I can lift up my teammates by being a little crazy, I’ll do it.”

Salem Head Coach Nancy Blaylock raved about Fillman’s skills set and personality — both on and off the court.

“Laney Fillman is an amazing human being,” Blaylock said.

Her future is without limits

Fillman’s post-high school plans include securing an engineering degree and ultimately becoming an Air Force test pilot.

“Only 1% of the world’s population are pilots,” Fillman said. “And of the 1%, only 2% of the pilots are female, so that motivates me in a way.

“Air Force test pilots literally test the limits of the jets, and they make sure new features are safe and effective. That’s what attracted me to this field.”

Spoken like a true Top Gun pilot.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.