Seasons of Life

Two members of Millstadt, Illinois’s EAA Chapter 64 have reached personal piloting milestones. Diane Earhart of Belleville, Illinois has earned the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, marking the 50th anniversary of her 27 February 1973 first solo flight. The award was presented to Earhart on 22 April 2023.

Serendipitously, Earhart’s student, Mia Petruso, 16, of Waterloo, Illinois made her first solo flight on 13 May 2023.

The FAA sets forth: “The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award is named in honor of Orville and Wilbur Wright, who were two American aviation pioneers credited with inventing, building, and flying the world’s first successful motor-operated airplane.”

The most prestigious award issued by the FAA to civilian pilots, the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award recognizes individuals deemed to have exhibited exemplary aviation expertise, distinguished professionalism, and steadfast commitment over at least fifty-years of piloting.

Earhart joins approximately 7,500 aviators so honored since the awards October 2003 inception.

Petruso is a 2023 recipient of EAA’s Ray Aviation Scholarship—as sponsored by EAA Chapter 64 and AeroCareers, NFP.

Introduced in 2019 and named for WWII B-17 pilot and general aviation luminary James C. Ray, EAA’s Ray Aviation Scholarship is awarded to young people actively involved in EAA Chapters and possessed of interests in earning Private Pilot certification.

Through an annual grant given to EAA National by the Ray Foundation—a Florida-based organization created to carry on the legacy of the aforementioned Mr. Ray and support aviation and aerospace-based education programs and organizations—local EAA chapters are able to grant scholarships to deserving young people. Ray Aviation Scholarships amount to $11,000 and may be applied to offsetting the cost of recipients’ flight-instruction.

Ms. Petruso is one of more than 230 scholars currently undergoing flight-training across the U.S., and—upon earning her Private Pilot certificate—will join more than 220 additional scholars who’ve earned Private Pilot certification by dint of the Ray Aviation Scholarship Fund. Per scholarship requirements, Petruso must earn her Private Pilot certificate by the end of February, 2024. However, Earhart and Petruso are hopeful for a November 2023 check-ride on Petruso’s 17th birthday.

In addition to providing encouragement and support, EAA chapters with Ray Scholars among their members are obligated to appoint scholarship coordinators. Such individuals serve as scholars’ primary mentors, apprise EAA headquarters of scholars’ flight training progress, and manage scholarship funds disbursed to their respective chapters. EAA Chapter 64’s scholarship coordinator is Bob McDaniel of Columbia, Illinois. Mr. McDaniel wrote a recommendation letter supporting Earhart’s application for the Master Pilot Award. McDaniel referred to Earhart as “a trusted friend” widely renowned throughout the local aviation community for her “extensive pilot experience” and “willingness to share that experience by mentoring others.”

Asked by McDaniel if she found learning to fly enjoyable, Petruso enthused: “Yes!”

“Is it easy?” McDaniel queried.

“No!” Petruso asserted.

“Is it worth it?” McDaniel persisted.

Petruso, without hesitation, replied in the affirmative.

In addition to his EAA functions, Mr. McDaniel is the founder of AeroCareers, NFP, a non-profit providing aerospace mentoring, networking, and education opportunities. The organization owns two Cessna Skyhawks which are flown by members of its flying club. AeroCareers also owns and is restoring a Lancair Columbia 300 dubbed New Spirit of St. Louis. Subject aircraft was flown across the Atlantic ocean by Erik Lindbergh—grandson of pioneering aviator Charles Lindbergh and cofounder of Verdego Aero, a company developing electric propulsion systems for aircraft.  The AeroCareers flying club works closely with EAA Chapter 64 and counts Earhart and Petruso among its members.

FMI: https://chapters.eaa.org/eaa64/about-us