By Gary Brossett, EAA Lifetime 375866
Bryce Kornett, EAA 1358741, earned his private pilot certificate on October 13, 2026, under the instruction of chapter member and CFII Don Neuberg, EAA 775810, becoming EAA Chapter 677’s 10th successful Ray Scholar candidate!
On Halloween morning, 18 days after his checkride, Bryce arrived at Chapter 677’s monthly Young Eagles rally in costume as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell to fly his first Young Eagles. He flew three flights, including two flights with first-time fliers and one flight with longtime chapter volunteer Shalom Tull, EAA 1399616. “Feel great after my first Young Eagle. After about five or so years, I finally got to give back into the thing that got me started in the world of aviation, and that was amazing!”
Bryce’s fascination with the sky began at an early age, but his enthusiasm sparked during his first Young Eagles flight with chapter member and CFI Dorinda Morpeth, EAA 637599, on November 30, 2019. That spark continued to grow through 14 additional Young Eagles flights in the coming years. He has flown with all of Chapter 677’s active pilots.
He began volunteering with the chapter at monthly Young Eagles rallies in April 2021 at the age of 11 — first as a ground safety volunteer, escorting parents on the aircraft parking ramp, then as chapter staff photographer beginning in July 2024 to date. He has volunteered at 24 rallies for a total of 97 hours.
For his 12th birthday, his father booked a room at the Renaissance Hotel overlooking Hartsfield International Airport (ATL), so Bryce could spot airplanes all day. They even ordered their meals in, so there would be no interruption in his spotting.
He completed the Sporty’s Learn to Fly course and then a discovery flight with chapter member and CFII Matthew Bourguignon, EAA 1459525, in November 2024.
Our membership recognized Bryce’s enthusiasm and commitment early on, awarding him scholarships to attend the EAA Air Academy in both the Young Eagles Camp in 2022 and the Explore Aviation Camp in 2025.
Bryce currently serves as JROTC Brigade Commander of the Blue Devil Battalion at Columbus High School. He has a 4.5 GPA in AP STEM Advanced Sciences.
“I am grateful to be a part of an organization that will put a lot of energy into teaching and mentoring young people to achieve their aviation-related goals,” Brian Kornett, EAA 1494822, Bryce’s father said.