Brian Harris

Milton Teen Awarded Second 2019 Ray Scholarship Award
at EAA Chapter 485

EAA 485 members Bill Diaz (L) and Craig Spoke (R) present Brian Harris with The $10,000.00 scholarship
award from Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 485 and the Ray Aviation scholarship program to
be used for flight training instruction.

The Ray Foundation’s Aviation Scholars program — administered by the EAA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin — provides up to $10,000 scholarships to young people who are seeking to learn to fly. The scholarship supports flight students through both written and practical segments of flight training that are part of successful Federal Aviation Administration private pilot certification.

The foundation has provided $1 million annually nationwide to fund the scholarship program, which seeks to improve the flight training success rate from the current industry standard of 20 percent completion rate to 80 percent for program participants. The initiative is designed to help meet the tremendous future demand for pilots and associated aviation careers.

Brian Harris, a 2019 graduate of West Florida Baptist Academy and current student at the University of West Florida , became our second Ray scholarship winner on 12 October 2019.

He was a finalist in the same interview group as Nick, and now has the same opportunity to pursue his dream of learning to fly, thanks to the Ray Foundation.

Brian is a long-time member of the Civil Air Patrol. Brian also had some previous flying time in the Civil Air Patrol, which helps him get off to a fast start at our chosen flight school, the Wrong Brothers Aviator Training School at Ferguson Airport. CAP supports youths and young adults ages 12-21 who are interested in aviation. More information about CAP is at http://units.flwg.us/FL460.aspx.

Brian took his first Ray scholarship lesson at the Wrong Brothers Aviator Training School at Ferguson Airport in Pensacola on 20 Nov. 2019.

Brian yukking it up with his aunt and uncle.

McKenna, Brian, and Yves and Linda Cote, Brian’s uncle
and aunt, outside clubhouse.

On a gorgeous Jan. 8th, 2020 at 82J, Brian slipped the surly bonds of earth to fly solo for the first time. His instructor David Meredith did the honors, and cut his shirttail afterwards. The event was witnessed by four chapter members as well as Brian’s aunt, uncle and girlfriend. Symbolically, our first Ray Scholarship winner, Nick Hanssen, was there to give a thumbs up to Brian. Well done, Brian!

DPE Zack McNeill congratulates Brian on his successful Private Pilot Practical Exam.		CFI David Meredith congratulates Brian on a job well done.
Chapter 485 Ray Coordinator Ralph Moser offers a “coronavirus-friendly” handshake to Brian, our second Ray Scholar to complete the program.		DPE Zack McNeill shows Brian where to sign. He debriefed that Brian flew an “all-around excellent” check ride.