AVIATION FOR EVERYONE

My name is Weston Koyama. I am a public defense attorney in Portland, Oregon, and I have long been passionate about two things that may seem unusual together at first: justice and aviation. In my work as an attorney, I advocate for people who are often overlooked or pushed to the margins. In aviation, I am drawn to the freedom, wonder, and possibility of flight. Through pdxFlight, I hope to bring those two passions together.

This site will soon host aviation classes and educational resources designed with accessibility at the center. Too often, traditional pathways into licensed aviation can be difficult or impossible for people who face medical, financial, or other systemic barriers. My goal is to explore lawful and practical ways to expand access to the skies, including by leveraging Part 103 of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which governs ultralight vehicles and opens a unique doorway into flight for people who might otherwise be excluded from conventional aviation pathways.

pdxFlight is still in development, but its mission is already clear: to make aviation more understandable, more welcoming, and more accessible to all people. In time, this site will offer classes, guidance, and support for aspiring aviators who want to experience flight in a way that is safe, lawful, and achievable.

Flight should not be reserved only for the few. I believe more people deserve the opportunity to learn about aviation and, where possible, to take to the skies. Thank you for visiting pdxFlight as this project begins.