Able Flight, a non-profit organization that provides flight and aviation career training scholarships to people with physical disabilities, announced today that Shell Aviation has signed on as a major sponsor of its national scholarship and mentoring program.
Each year the Shell Aviation/Able Flight scholarship will be awarded to honor air show pilot Alan Henley, a former lead pilot and founding member of the famed AeroShell Team who became paralyzed due to a non-flying accident in 2008. Shell Aviation has made a three-year commitment, becoming the fourth company to sponsor a scholarship in their name.
As a respected leader in the aviation industry, Shell Aviation is proud to partner with Able Flight to directly benefit aspiring pilots. This organization makes it possible for people with disabilities to attain the dream of flight. Luke Byerly, Regional Sales Manager Americas Shell comments,
“Shell Aviation is honored to work together with Able Flight to help fulfill these dreams and honor Alan Henley’s passion for aviation,” said Luke Byerly, Shell’s regional sales manager Americas. “He is one of the most respected and admired pilots in the aviation world and has exemplified extraordinary skills in the air and is a dedicated ambassador to aviation.”
Able Flight’s Executive Director Charles Stites said, “Shell Aviation has been a valued supporter of our unique program for several years. We are grateful for their past support and through their extended commitment for the next three years someone with a disability will be able to become a pilot. It is especially gratifying that Shell Aviation is providing this unique opportunity as a way of honoring Alan, a man who has exemplified flying at the highest level.”
The first Shell Aviation/Able Flight Scholarship will be awarded this year to a student who will learn to fly at the nonprofit’s annual joint flight training program with Purdue University’s Department of Aviation Technology.