By Barbara A. Schmitz
Able Flight awarded its greatest number of flight training scholarships in a year to people with a disability in 2024, and nine of those 10 scholarship recipients completed their training in July and earned their sport pilot certificate.
Seven of the nine then attended EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 for Able Flight’s wing-pinning ceremony at Theater in the Woods Tuesday morning. In addition to the new pilots, parents, spouses, children, friends, and others attended the celebration, said Able Flight Executive Director Charles H. Stites.
Four of this year’s scholarship recipients are veterans, and two are women.
The scholarship allowed the students to take their online ground school courtesy of Sporty’s Pilot Shop, Charles said. “The ground school prepares them for flight training, and then they prepare to progress for the written knowledge test. While they’re doing that, they’re also getting live online streaming help from two universities — Purdue and for the first time, Southern Illinois at Carbondale — to help them prepare for when they get their flight training.”
Charles said the students arrived on campus in late May and stayed until early July to complete their training in adaptive training aircraft. Purdue used a light-sport aircraft (LSA) Sky Aero 600, while Southern Illinois used a Vashon Ranger, also an LSA.
The pilot training is important for the students since it allows them to forget about having a disability for the moment, he said.
“When the students learn to fly, it levels the playing field,” Charles said. “They have to follow the same instructional program as anyone else. They have to pass the same checkride. They accomplish the same thing that every other pilot has accomplished. And other pilots understand that and respect it.”
Charles said since Able Flight began 18 years ago, they have had 98 people with a disability complete their training and become certificated. “And a significant number of them do continue to fly,” he said. “Eleven of the 98 are aircraft owners; that’s a significant percentage.”
The scholarship program is supported by donations and sponsorship.
Those who would like to apply for a scholarship in 2025 should go to AbleFlight.org. The deadline to apply is December 31.
Charles suggested people first go to the frequently asked questions section, which includes information on timelines and how to apply. The application form can be found on the scholarship page.