Growing up just a short drive from Oshkosh, Hayden Brooks, EAA 1307927, has had an interest in aviation for nearly his entire life.
“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been playing with airplane toys and I’d stand outside watching the crop dusters in my area,” Hayden explained. “When AirVenture was going on, I’d stand outside and just enjoy the airplanes. I’ve always had an interest in it.”
From Brandon, Wisconsin, Hayden is a member of EAA Chapter 897 in Juneau, Wisconsin, and it was through his chapter that he learned about the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship Fund, which provides up to $10,000 to deserving youths for their flight training expenses.
“I’d always wanted to be a pilot, but I never knew how to get started,” he said. “The money was a major restraint. Norm Alsum, I’d like to thank him. He was a major influence on me in applying for the scholarship. I came across the scholarship and I ended up getting it.”
Hayden was named a Ray Scholarship recipient in May 2019 and started flight training shortly thereafter. Hayden explained that being in a cockpit and flying an airplane came naturally to him once he began his training, though the ground school portion and studying required some determination.
“The flying part of it came to me fairly quickly,” Hayden said. “The ground part of things took me a little longer. It was just more studying than I thought. At first I was shy with the radio, but I got over that quickly.”
Hayden trained in a Cessna 152 and on December 5, his 17th birthday, he passed his private pilot checkride. With a financial boost from the Ray Aviation Scholarship Fund and a lot of hard work, Hayden not only joined the ranks of pilots across the world, but was inspired to pursue aviation as a career.
“The scholarship helped make my dreams a reality,” Hayden said. “I always wanted to fly, but I guess I really never knew where to even start. After flying for about a month and a half, I made the decision that this is what I want to do the rest of my life. Now I’m going to be pursuing a career as an airline pilot.”
While he hopes to fly professionally one day, Hayden will continue to be actively involved in the general aviation community, through the EAA Young Eagles program and simple pleasure flying.
“I would love to fly Young Eagles,” he said. “That would be great. I’d like to take a few family trips around as well.”