Our annual process of reviewing the Ray Scholarship
candidates has concluded. The candidates are ambitious and
motivated and have participated in our Young Eagles
program and other events. They have studied ground school,
obtained an FAA medical certificate, flown on Young Eagles
fights and volunteered at Young Eagles and other chapter
events. This year’s process was challenging as the candidates
were very qualified. We diligently reviewed each candidate
and have selected Cliff Storey as our 2025 Ray Aviation
Scholar. Cliff has flown on, and volunteered at, many Young
Eagles rallies and other chapter events. He has been working on his glider pilot
certificate and has soloed in gliders at Eastern Soaring in Petersburg, WV and
Skyline Soaring at Front Royal. You may have seen Cliff’s presentation last
spring on glider winch-tow launches and glider training. Once he completes his
glider training, he will begin training toward the Private Pilot-Airplane certificate.
Chapter 186 has granted five Ray Scholarships since 2019, and all five scholars
completed the program with a Private Pilot-Airplane certificate. Our 2024
scholar, Kobe Kerns, has soloed and passed the written exam and is on track to
finish this summer. Cliff will be our seventh scholar. We wish to thank the
candidates who applied and thank the Young Eagles and past Young Eagles who
have gone the extra step to volunteer at Chapter 186 events. Your participation
helps us gain the interest of the younger kids that attend our events.
Speaking of volunteering, the Women Can Fly event at Warrenton on June 7 will
include a “Women Can Build” activity where participants learn the basics of
drilling, deburring and riveting, and end up building a cell phone charger/stand.
Chapter 186 members are encouraged to help with this workstation. There will bea small assembly line which needs volunteers to keep the process moving. No aircraft building
experience is required to help. This was a very rewarding experience for those that helped last
year. If you are interested in helping, please let me know.
Blue Skies,
Bob