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 be a 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