The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Ray Aviation Scholarship is a scholarship program that is funded by the Ray Foundation, managed by EAA, and administered through the EAA Chapter network. Through the generous support of the Ray Foundation, EAA provides up to $12,000 to deserving youths to help cover their flight training expenses, totaling $1,800,000 in annual scholarship funding.
Our current Ray Aviation Scholars:
Claire Mosley
My name is Claire Mosley and I have been training for my private pilot license. I’m so grateful to even have this opportunity thanks to the EAA and Chapter 168 for all the support. I am currently training with GoFlyTexas at Aero Valley. During the beginning of my training I was assigned to a CFI named Mason Woods. However later in my training Mason moved schools and I was then assigned to my current instructor, Kristin Madar. Training with her has been so benefi cial and she has helped me progress very quickly towards earning my license. Last week, on August 7th, I took my written exam and passed. Before I took the written exam, GoFlyTexas held a fi ve day intensive for those of us students to be able to have all the knowledge needed to pass the exam. It was a huge success and helped us all out. The school also provides many other opportunities where we are able to help each other out and expand our knowledge. For example, one of the owners, Mark King, has taught us how to properly take care of the planes, like washing and maintenance. As students we are able to clean up the plane and wash them to trade for fl ight time. Just a few days ago I fi nished my pre-solo lessons, and I will be soloing this next week.
Through GoFlyTexas, training has been so much fun and we are learning so much. The training puts us in so many different cases where we are able to expand our skills and knowledge to prepare us for any and all types of scenarios. I’m so thankful for GoFlyTexas and for all the instructors who constantly encourage and pour in their time and energy to the new generation of pilots. Many thanks again to the Ray Scholarship program and the EAA for their generosity to help those of us who are excited for a future in aviation.
Garrett Moore
Over the last three months I have been working on my Private Pilots License with Epic Flight Academy. In that time I have gone on four solo flights, night flights, and cross county. My first solo was July 8th out of Mesquite. I flew there with my Instructor Brooke and my dad completing three landings before dropping them off at the FBO. As I was doing my before start checklist I sat there realizing that it was just me in that Cessna and the feeling was exhilarating. I was so excited to finally get up in the air by myself and complete a huge milestone in my training. As I taxied out of the parking and towards the runway I was 100% focused on the task at hand. Once I had completed my run up, called tower, added in a quick prayer, and got on the runway I was off. It was a shock how much faster and how much better I was climbing with just me in the plane. As I started the downwind on my first lap I realized that there was another student pilot solo on his base leg which was really cool. Most of the time we had the airport to ourselves except for the occasional Thrust aircraft doing a touch and go. On the start of my third lap tower called out that there was precipitation coming in. As soon as he said that, light rain drops started hitting the glass and I was flying in the rain for the first time. Thankfully the visibility and cloud layers stayed VFR and I came in for my last landing and taxied back to the FBO. When we got back my instructor cut my t-shirt and congratulated me on completing my first solo flight!
On my second solo we went to Terrell and did the same thing. I basically had the airport to myself and there was one Thrust plane who parked and one on a long straight in. I was able to get in four touch and go’s and both Thrust Aircraft congratulated me about soloing and my landings. The next step in my training was to build more solo time and I was given two flights to leave Addison and fly east for a local solo. My only limits were no pattern work, no stalls, and no ground reference. I took off from Addison and flew out to the practice area and was immediately bored. Never thought I would say that. My instructor told me I at least had to fly for two hours so I had time to burn. My creative little brain decided that what better way to kill time was to draw in the sky. I looked over at my MFD, pulled out ForeFlight, and found three points that could make a triangle. I then proceeded to make a piece of cheese. Once I had completed my cheesy drawing I flew north and decided to do something cool. Using ForeFlight, the timer on the plane, headings, and 30 degree turns, Hi finally came out on my track. By the time I finished that, I headed back to Addison for a safe landing. For the second flight I had time to prepare. Without telling anyone, besides my sister who helped me plan, I again headed northeast to begin my next drawing. After avoiding traffic and buying time I started my timer on the G1000 and started turning. Unfortunately my ForeFlight kept going in and out so for 30-40% of the flight I was blind on what my track looked like. After one hour and twelve minutes, Jesus is King was in the sky. It was so big that by the time I finished, sulfur springs was out my right window. My landing back into Addison was sketchy to say the least. On my first attempt it was 100 degrees outside, variable 5-10 knot winds, and I was high and fast. Not a favorable position for a student pilot. I stayed calm and pulled my power back to adjust for my height and excess speed. I safely executed my approach and entered into ground effect high. This is where the second set of problems occurred, I attempted to lower myself back into ground effect but did not flare much at all and bounced on the runway. This bounce was more than I anticipated so I instinctively pitched slightly down to avoid tail striking my aircraft on the way down. That’s when I bounced again but worse than the first time. After that I said no way I am staying here and executed a go around instead of continuing to porpoise on the runway. My heart was racing but I stayed calm, did my memory items, and once in a safe position called my go around. The tower then gave me right traffic and I came in for a much better and safer landing. I got back to my parking and, expecting to be grilled by my instructor for the terrible first landing she immediately told me of how proud she was of my decision and that I did my go around great. From my first four solo flights I have learned so much and improved drastically. These were my two biggest takeaways from those flights. First drawing in the sky and doing turns for an hour has made me so much more confident on the rudders and now when I do a slip to landing I feel much more confident in myself and what I want the plane to do. Second, you can always go around. Safety I always say is my number one priority but that does not mean anything unless I actually fly like that. Those flights really opened my eyes on how to be a better pilot, making my own decisions, and not trying to force a landing but instead going around. I look forward to the rest of my training and am so grateful for EAA, the scholarship, and all the members in the chapter that I have talked to. You all have good tips, advice, and encouragement for me and it always makes my day.
Our past Ray Aviation Scholars:
Abigail White
Our fourth Ray Scholar was Abigail White.
I appreciate the opportunity that I’ve had to apply for the EAA Chapter 168 Ray scholarship. I have made the decision that I would like to pursue a career in aviation as a professional pilot. I have been able to initiate my flight training and I know that this is the career path I want to pursue and advance in.
I was fortunate that I was brought up in a household where aviation was a big part of our family’s life and I was able to assist my father in building his RV-8. I have many fond memories of assisting in that process, like helping buck rivets in the tail cone from what felt like sun up to sun down, and finally getting to see the payout of those hard working hours when I got to be the first passenger, it was that moment I decided I wanted to become a professional pilot. I love seeing capable female pilots and would love to be that role model for young girls. As my flight training progresses I would like to be able to share my passion and enthusiasm with other young men and women and be a role model to young aspiring pilots.
Abigail passed her PPL checkride!
Conor Macy
In June 2022, our third Ray Aviation Scholar Conor Macy started his flight training at Rising Aviation High School.
Update on Aidan Koch
Our 2019 Ray Aviation Scholar Aidan Koch got his CFI rating on January 14, 2023 at the Denton Airport. Well done, Aidan!