Aviation student receives $3,000 scholarship

First-year aviation student Ryan Lewis has been honored with a $3,000 scholarship that will allow him to take nearly 40 hours of flight training.

The scholarship, from Learning for Life's Aviation Exploring program, acknowledges and rewards students who have what it takes to be successful in the aviation industry.

Ryan has been very active in aviation, participating in the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Explorer Program for the past three years and learning the basics about different aspects of aviation, such as piloting and maintenance. He said the lessons he has learned there have served as a solid foundation for the education he is now getting at EVIT.

"The Explorer group gave us a lot of experience and some knowledge, but I feel that the EVIT program goes into a little more detail in certain things," Ryan said.

Ryan is a junior and still has another year and a half in EVIT's aviation program, so he's using that time to figure out what aviation career path he wants to take. He's considering being a pilot, or working in air traffic control or maintenance.

"My favorite part (about flying) is it seems like it opens the world a little bit," Ryan said. "You get to know the weather and how to navigate, and it’s really a unique experience."

Congratulations on your accomplishment, Ryan!