Of Wheels and Wings

Able Flight is a North Carolina-based non-profit organization about the laudable endeavor of enabling people with disabilities to pursue flight as a hobby, or train for aviation industry careers.

The organization has happily and proudly announced that six wheelchair-bound graduates of its flight-training program will be honored at a pilot-wings pinning ceremony at EAA AirVenture. The event will take place at Oshkosh’s Theater in the Wood’s on Tuesday, 26 July at 10:00. Among the new pilots are a U.S. military veteran wounded in combat, and another veteran disabled by an accident.

The whole of the aviation community and the staff of Aero News salute: Andy Burnette, Ryan Chen, Stephanie Cibello, Austin “Chance” Field, Nathaniel Miller, and Chris Murad, all of whom earned their Private Pilot Certificates through Able Flight’s scholarship program and intensive flight-training course at Purdue University.

The pilots will also be honored individually at the ceremony as recipients of scholarships provided by ForeFlight, Tempest Aero Group, and Muncie Aviation. Additionally, Able Flight will recognize the first two scholarships honoring the support of Zack Reising (Blue 7 Scholarship) and Adam Kisielewski (U.S. Marine Corps, retired).

Compelled by the belief that the life-changing experience of learning to fly is best shared, Able Flight’s founders established the scholarship program by which so many disabled persons have benefited. In the 16-years since its inception, Able Flight has facilitated the certification of 83 pilots, several of whom have earned multiple airman certificates and ratings. The organization’s partnership with Purdue University dates back to 2010.

Among those expected to attend the wing pinning ceremony are Aviation Hall of Fame inductee Patty Wagstaff, motivational speaker and handicapped pilot Jessica Cox, and representatives of the TBM Owners and Pilots Association Foundation.

FMI: www.ableflight.org