Ray Scholar

October 31, 2025October 31, 2025

Michal Mastej, EAA Chapter 115’s First Ray Scholar

Chapters, EAA Canada

By Kathy Lubitz, President, UPAC Michal first started coming to EAA Chapter 115 meetings with his dad, Piotr, while he was in high school. At the time, the chapter was ... Read more

October 31, 2025October 31, 2025

What We Should Be Asking Ray Scholarship Applicants

Chapters, Youth Outreach

By Clark Morawetz, EAA Canadian Council, Captain Porter Airlines (I thought you might find these questions revealing since we have an article about one of Chapter 115’s first Ray ... Read more

October 20, 2025October 31, 2025

Minnesota EAA Chapters 25, 54, and 1229 in Action

Chapters, Why We Fly

By Mark Kolesar, EAA Lifetime 294238 The Flying Cloud Airport located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, was the site of the 2025 Girls in Aviation Day on September 20, 2025. Three ... Read more

September 2, 2025October 17, 2025

Steven Geist Goes Solo

Member Stories, Milestones

By Chad Haas, EAA 1265808, EAA Chapter 1551 President Steven Geist, EAA 1503861, our Ray Aviation scholar, made his first solo flight on July 17 at Umatilla Airport (X23). He ... Read more

August 14, 2025October 31, 2025

Old Ray Scholar Teaches New Ray Scholar

Chapters, Youth Outreach

By Scott Thompson, President, EAA Chapter 1541 Way back sometime in 2018, I had the pleasure of participating in a Young Eagles rally held by our chapter, EAA Chapter 1541, ... Read more

August 4, 2025October 31, 2025

EAA Chapter 115 Highlights

Chapters, EAA Canada

By Bill MacKay, EAA 1190268, Chapter 115 Treasurer, Plattsville, Ontario EAA Chapter 115 meets at Edward’s Air Base (Plattsville Aerodome, CLB2) every Saturday for breakfast with a formal meeting ... Read more

July 11, 2025October 20, 2025

Chapter 485 Ray Scholar Continues to Excel

Learn to Fly, Youth Outreach

By Ralph Moser, EAA 702188, EAA Chapter 485 President EAA Chapter 485, the “Panhandle Pelicans” of Pensacola, Florida, would like to highlight the progress of Brian Harris, one of the ... Read more

July 11, 2025October 20, 2025

A Ray Scholar and Her Father Begin Flight Training Together

Member Stories, Youth Outreach

By Eric Wegner, EAA 329302, EAA Chapter 320 (Watertown, Wisconsin) President EAA Chapter 320’s 2025 Ray Aviation Scholarship recipient is Riley Runke, EAA 1655190. Receiving this scholarship is a big ... Read more

July 10, 2025October 20, 2025

Ray Scholar Hat Trick

Milestones, Youth Outreach

By Gary Brossett, EAA Lifetime 375866 What a month it has been! Lola Waldrep, EAA 1399617, earned her private pilot certificate on June 17, spent the next few days completing ... Read more

January 20, 2025October 17, 2025

A Ray Scholar’s Flight Training Journey

Learn to Fly, Member Stories

By Greg Alberti, EAA 1225585, EAA Chapter 196 Ray Aviation Scholar As an 18-year-old, recently minted private pilot, I have been flying airplanes for over half of my life. The ... Read more

December 18, 2024October 17, 2025

How to Say “Thanks” for the Gift of Flight

Learn to Fly, Member Stories

By Ella Lucas, EAA 1518806, EAA Chapter 96 A Ray Aviation Scholarship is the best Christmas gift ever. I recently received the Ray Aviation Scholarship from EAA. When I went ... Read more

December 16, 2024October 17, 2025

Ray Scholar Lola Waldrep Solos

Milestones, Youth Outreach

By Gary Brossett, EAA Lifetime 375866, EAA Chapter 677 President Lola Waldrep, EAA 1399617, soloed a Cessna 172N on November 24, 2024, at Lanett Regional Airport in Alabama. When she ... Read more

October 17, 2024October 31, 2025

EAA Chapter 838 Celebrates Major Milestones in Aviation Community

Chapters, Milestones

EAA Chapter 838 in Racine, Wisconsin, is excited to announce several significant achievements and events marking a vibrant period for the chapter. The chapter has proudly welcomed its 500th member, ... Read more

September 12, 2024October 17, 2025

A Pilot, a Passion, a Calling

Learn to Fly, Member Stories

By Sharon Puschmann, EAA 1382843 Pilots come in all shapes and sizes with different motivations, drives, and desires. Some are inspired by family members, military ambitions, or dreams of becoming ... Read more

July 27, 2024October 20, 2025

Ballet and Airplanes, Grace and Discipline

AirVenture, Member Stories

By Robbie Culver Ballet, airplanes, grace, discipline. For Mary Elizabeth Kurek, EAA 1333410 and current Ray Aviation scholar for EAA Chapter 461 in Bolingbrook, Illinois, these ideas fit well together. ... Read more

July 24, 2024October 29, 2025

Ray Aviation Corn Roast Celebrates 500 Successful Scholars

AirVenture, Youth Outreach

By Robbie Culver In April 2024, the Ray Aviation Scholarship Fund reached a milestone of 500 completed Ray scholars who have earned their pilot certificate through the program. A corn ... Read more

July 16, 2024October 31, 2025

The Ray Scholarship Going Full Circle: Paying It Forward and Giving Back

Chapters, Youth Outreach

By William Jagust, EAA Chapter 1387 Ray Scholarship Coordinator Just like other chapters, EAA Chapter 1387 in Troy, Missouri, was hoping to provide a candidate for the Ray Aviation Scholarship ... Read more

May 22, 2024October 31, 2025

May the Fourth Be With You!

Chapters

EAA Chapter 22 had reason to celebrate at its annual pancake breakfast on May 4, 2024. This was the 50th year for this tradition, and two young members were pleased ... Read more

March 28, 2024October 31, 2025

“It Takes a Chapter,” Say Gettysburg Barnstormers

Chapters, Youth Outreach

In the EAA world, the adage “It takes a village to raise a child” might be rendered, “It takes a chapter to train a pilot.” EAA Chapter 1041 has an ... Read more

March 19, 2024October 29, 2025

Ray Aviation Scholar at EAA Chapter 534 Earns Private Pilot Certificate

Chapters, Milestones

Luke Nunez recently passed his checkride and received his private pilot certificate. Luke has been involved with EAA Chapter 534 for four years. While a member of the aviation youth ... Read more

August 18, 2023October 29, 2025

Ray Aviation Scholars at EAA AirVenture 2023

Chapters, Youth Outreach

AirVenture is a must-see destination for pilots and aviation enthusiasts, and this includes EAA’s Ray Aviation scholars. By my count, there were at least 83 scholars who attended AirVenture this ... Read more

July 18, 2023October 29, 2025

EAA Chapter 1328 Awards First Ray Aviation Scholar

Chapters, Youth Outreach

The North Vernon, Indiana, chapter recently presented their first Ray Aviation scholar with his scholarship.

September 20, 2022October 28, 2025

Ray Scholar Flies With a Hero

Honoring The Past, Youth Outreach

Ray scholar Daniel Roberts recently had a unique opportunity: flying with a WWII vet aboard B-25 Berlin Express.

August 10, 2022October 29, 2025

Northern California EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship Gathering

Chapters, Youth Outreach

A group of Ray scholars from the Sacramento, California, area recently met up to socialize, network, and learn more about a variety of aviation opportunities.

July 29, 2022October 31, 2025

Persistence Pays Off

AirVenture, Youth Outreach

At the age of 17, Cadence Bomgardner has an aviation résumé that would make some folks green with envy.

July 7, 2022October 29, 2025

Checkride Milestone — John Barber

Milestones, Youth Outreach

17-year-old Ray scholar John Barber completed his checkride on June 22, officially becoming the first 2022 scholar to complete training and earn their certificate.

June 2, 2022October 29, 2025

Checkride Milestone — Luke Vaughn

Chapters, Milestones

Congratulations to EAA Chapter 179 Ray scholar Luke Vaughn, who recently earned his private pilot certificate.

May 25, 2022October 29, 2025

Checkride Milestone — Beck Youngberg

Chapters, Milestones

On April 16, 2021, EAA Chapter 501’s first Ray Aviation Scholarship was awarded to Beck Youngberg, EAA 1389108. On May 3, 2022, he successfully completed his practical examination for a ... Read more

March 17, 2022October 16, 2025

My “Private” Journey

Learn to Fly, Youth Outreach

One Ray scholar’s path to earning her private pilot certificate.

January 18, 2022October 29, 2025

Solo Milestones — Ray Scholars From EAA Chapter 1093

Chapters, Milestones

December 14, 2021, was a big day for Tobias Pobanz, EAA 1406421, and Jason Labby, EAA 1438368, of EAA Chapter 1093 in Midland, Michigan.

January 4, 2022October 17, 2025

Bits and Pieces: Milestone — EAA Chapter 63’s Ray Scholar Is a Pilot!

EAA Canada, Milestones

Congratulations to EAA Chapter 63’s first Ray scholar, Megan Lokstet, on earning her pilot license!

December 15, 2021October 29, 2025

Solo Milestone — Ainsley Busenbark

Milestones

Congratulations to EAA Chapter 677’s Ray scholar, Ainsley Busenbark, who soloed on Monday, December 13!

October 18, 2021October 29, 2025

Chapter 36 Celebrates String of Successes

Chapters, Milestones

Ray Franze, president and Ray Scholarship coordinator of EAA Chapter 36 in Hagerstown, Maryland, reported some exciting news

September 8, 2021October 16, 2025

Solo Milestone: Megan Lokstet

Learn to Fly, Member Stories, Milestones

On August 2, 2021, EAA Chapter 63’s Ray Scholar, Megan Lokstet, achieved every pilot’s coveted milestone, her first solo.

July 31, 2021October 20, 2025

A Ray Scholar’s Aviation Journey

Member Stories, Youth Outreach

Seventeen-year-old Jayden Chow didn’t come from an aviation family. Jayden, EAA 1293557, was first introduced to EAA by his dad’s coworker.

July 29, 2021October 29, 2025

Early Ray Scholar Volunteers at GirlVenture

Volunteers, Youth Outreach

Amy Whelan, EAA 1283566, goes from the mentee to mentor at AirVenture 2021 during the GirlVenture camp.

July 1, 2021October 17, 2025

Solo Milestone — Ray Scholar Cheyenne Fuoco

Member Stories, Milestones

On June 12, 2021, Ray Aviation Scholarship recipient Cheyenne Fuoco soloed at the Hartford-Brainard Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, in a Cessna 172R.

June 14, 2021October 29, 2025

Ray Aviation Scholar Beck Youngberg Volunteers Lettering the Young Eagles Workshops Trunk

Chapters, Youth Outreach

Beck Youngberg, EAA 1389108 and the 2021 Ray Aviation Scholarship awardee of EAA Chapter 501 in Lincoln Park, New Jersey, is doing his part.

June 9, 2021October 29, 2025

EAA Chapter 677 Ray Scholar Pays It Forward

Chapters, Youth Outreach

Lily Busenbark, EAA 1293705, has dreamed of flying Young Eagles before she even had her pilot certificate in hand. Lily’s first exposure to aviation was in August 2018 when she ... Read more

June 3, 2021October 17, 2025

Paying It Forward

Youth Outreach

Former Young Eagle and EAA Chapter 13 Ray Aviation Scholarship recipient, Randall Novak, paid it forward and flew his first Young Eagles passenger on Sunday, May 16.

June 3, 2021October 29, 2025

Solo Milestone — Joshua Owsley

Member Stories, Milestones

Congratulations to Joshua Owsley on his first solo flight!

May 14, 2021October 29, 2025

Chapter 35 Ray Scholar Updates

Chapters, Youth Outreach

Evan Carell, EAA 1300856, and Maryjane Marroquin, EAA 1357794, were recently awarded Ray Aviation Scholarships through Chapter 35 in Texas, and they’ve written to share updates on their progress.

April 23, 2021October 17, 2025

Where Preparation and Opportunity Intersect: How My High School Experience Set in Motion My Aerospace Career

Learn to Fly, Youth Outreach

I dreamed of being an aerospace engineer since I first heard of the field around the age of 12.

April 23, 2021October 17, 2025

Solo Milestone – Patricia Kackert

Milestones

EAA Chapter 1 celebrated a huge milestone on November 21, 2020, when its Ray Aviation Scholarship recipient, 18-year-old Patricia Kackert, EAA 1380209, made her first solo flight.

March 4, 2021October 29, 2025

Chapter Youth Pay it Forward

Chapters, Youth Outreach

EAA Chapter 690 has been investing in youth for years, and their efforts have paid off.

March 1, 2021October 16, 2025

A Recap of My Ray Aviation Scholar Journey

Learn to Fly

From Young Eagle to Private Pilot in less than a year, thanks to the Ray Aviation Foundation, EAA, and the dedicated support of a local chapter.

March 1, 2021October 29, 2025

Vintage Chapter 25 Expresses Appreciation

Chapters, Vintage

The EAA Chapters office received a generous gift in the mail from EAA Vintage Chapter 25 and their Ray Scholar, Tyler Pierson.

January 28, 2021October 16, 2025

Making an Emergency Landing as a Student Pilot

Learn to Fly, Youth Outreach

Ryan Majors put his training to the ultimate test during his cross-country solo flight when he had to make an emergency landing in a field.

December 17, 2020October 16, 2025

A Thank You From a Ray Scholar

Learn to Fly, Youth Outreach

After catching the flying bug at age nine, William McCarthy progressed from Young Eagle to Ray Scholar to private pilot, and he’d like to thank some of the folks who ... Read more

December 10, 2020October 16, 2025

Checkride Milestone — Faith Rhoads

Learn to Fly, Milestones, Youth Outreach

All of my hard work had paid off and my dream of being a pilot came true. When I returned to my home airport, my instructor and parents were waiting ... Read more

November 11, 2020October 17, 2025

Checkride Milestone — Jessica Postle

Milestones, Youth Outreach

Congratulations to Jessica Postle on passing her private pilot checkride on October 9!

October 29, 2020October 29, 2025

Checkride Milestone — Lily Busenbark

Milestones, Youth Outreach

Congratulations to Lily Busenbark, EAA 1293705, on passing her private pilot checkride on October 20!

October 15, 2020October 29, 2025

16-Year-Old Ray Scholar Solos in Ohio

Milestones, Youth Outreach

Mother Nature provided some challenges for Jeremy, as the winds had been pretty strong. On September 25, Jeremy and his instructor did a couple “touch-and-goes” at the Northeast Ohio Regional ... Read more

August 13, 2020October 29, 2025

Ray Scholars Organize Fly-Out Visit to EAA Aviation Museum

Chapters, Youth Outreach

A group of five Ray Scholars from around the Midwest organized a fly-in to Wittman Regional Airport this week to visit the EAA Aviation Museum and continue to bond over ... Read more

August 5, 2020October 17, 2025

Checkride Milestone — Jake Owsley

Learn to Fly, Milestones

Congratulations to Jake Owsley, EAA 1283935 and EAA Chapter 677’s Ray Scholar recipient, for passing his private pilot checkride on July 10!

July 29, 2020October 29, 2025

Ray Scholar Perseveres to Achieve a Private Pilot Certificate

Chapters, Learn to Fly

The pursuit of a private pilot certificate is a testament to perseverance. Raegan Buzzard’s taxi to flight began at the age of 12.

July 1, 2020October 29, 2025

Chapter 952 Presents 2 Scholarships to Local Young Aviators

Chapters, Youth Outreach

Aleana Cricks and Wylie Howe were both presented flight training scholarships from EAA Chapter 952 to help them earn their pilot certificates and become immersed in aviation.

April 22, 2020October 29, 2025

EAA Chapter 382 Names Another Ray Aviation Scholarship Recipient

Chapters, Youth Outreach

Honesty Stanifer, EAA 1343045, became the chapter’s newest scholarship recipient when the chapter surprised her with the award during their annual Christmas party.

January 22, 2020October 17, 2025

Checkride Milestone — Tabitha Yeomans

Learn to Fly, Milestones

Congratulations to EAA Chapter 976 Ray Aviation Scholarship recipient Tabitha Yeomans, EAA 1204058, who passed her private pilot checkride on January 12!

January 16, 2020October 17, 2025

Reinforced Dreams

Learn to Fly, Milestones

I passed my private pilot checkride, ultimately earning my certificate in less than seven months and contributing to the overall success of the Ray Aviation Foundation.

January 8, 2020October 17, 2025

Checkride Milestone — Mateo Colmenero

Chapters, Milestones

Mateo Colmenero, Ray Aviation scholar and EAA 1200734, successfully passed his checkride on Sunday, just five short months after soloing.

January 2, 2020October 17, 2025

Ray Scholar Earns Private Pilot Certificate

Learn to Fly, Milestones

Ray Aviation Scholarship recipient Hayden Brooks recently earned his private pilot certificate.

December 17, 2019October 17, 2025

Milestone — Ray Scholar Solos

Chapters, Milestones

Lily Busenbark, EAA 1293705, achieved a Ray scholar milestone on November 22, 2019, when she soloed in a PA-28-140 Cherokee at the Columbus Airport (KCSG) in Georgia.

December 5, 2019October 17, 2025

EAA’s Ray Aviation Scholarship Fund

Chapters, Youth Outreach

Through the generous support of the Ray Foundation, EAA provided up to $10,000 to 100 deserving youths for their flight training expenses in 2019, with the support of EAA’s chapter ... Read more

November 21, 2019October 17, 2025

EAA Chapter 148 Ray Scholar Earns Private Pilot Certificate

Chapters, Milestones

EAA Chapter 148’s Ray Aviation Scholarship recipient Hayden Kehres was able to complete his training in just 129 days and 43 flying hours.

November 14, 2019October 17, 2025

Milestone: Ray Scholar Flies First Young Eagle

Milestones, Youth Outreach

Kyle Johnson earned a Ray scholarship back in May, got his private in August, and just flew his first Young Eagle.

September 19, 2019October 17, 2025

Ray Scholar Pays It Forward by Flying First Young Eagle

Chapters, Youth Outreach

A former Young Eagle turned into a Young Eagles pilot this month after passing his private pilot checkride with the help of the Ray Aviation Scholarship program.

September 5, 2019October 17, 2025

How Being a Ray Scholar Helped Me

Chapters, Learn to Fly

The Ray Aviation Scholarship has helped me in ways I never imagined. This summer I worked long and hard to complete my private pilot certificate.

August 8, 2019October 17, 2025

First Chapter 534 Ray Scholar Solos

Chapters, Milestones

After five active years with EAA Chapter 534’s weekly youth program following his Young Eagles flight, Mateo Colmenero, age 18, was awarded the chapter’s first $10,000 Ray Aviation Scholarship in ... Read more

June 6, 2019October 28, 2025

Numerous Ray Scholars Celebrate First Solo

Milestones, Youth Outreach

With flying season finally in full swing for most of the country, the Ray Aviation Scholarship program is celebrating a number of first solos this week!