Congratulations to EAA Chapter 677’s Ray scholar, Ainsley Busenbark, EAA 1293706, who soloed on Monday, December 13!
Ainsley set her sights on becoming a pilot after experiencing a Young Eagles flight.
“At first I was terrified, and it took 10 minutes after landing for it to settle that, this is what I need to do,” she said. “I started attending Young Eagles events and chapter [677] meetings and fell in love with the organization and the people.
“I was driven to flight because of the feeling of freedom from being up in the sky, when you’re up there it’s like a breath of fresh air, and everything pales in comparison.”
Ainsley soloed Monday morning in a Cessna Skyhawk.
“It was a clear and calm day, the opposite of me at that moment,” she said. “But once I took off it all melted away and I felt comfortable.”
Ainsley said she wants to eventually become an instructor and have a career based around aviation.
“Not many people have a career with their passion, so me being able to do that as well as help others do that would truly be a dream,” Ainsley said.
EAA Chapter 677 President Gary Brossett, EAA Lifetime 375866, said that Ainsley is the chapter’s fourth Ray scholar and that he and the rest of the chapter are very proud of her.
“Ainsley is our top youth volunteer,” Gary said. “She’s been so excited about aviation, even before her sister was selected as our first scholar. She’s an active volunteer at our monthly Young Eagles rallies since 2019 and currently serves as admin and photographer. She completed her written exam on October 19. Ainsley will be attending the Advanced Air Academy next July as one of our chapter scholarship recipients.”
Congratulations Ainsley, the sky’s the limit!
Have you reached a milestone recently? Passed a checkride, given your first or hundredth Young Eagles flight, flown your homebuilt for the first time? Tell us about it at EAA.org/Submissions.