Six new pilots to receive their wings at Oshkosh

Six new pilots will be honored at a wings pinning ceremony at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022.

All six use wheelchairs, and include a veteran wounded in combat and another veteran who became disabled through an accident. Andy Burnette, Ryan Chen, Stephanie Cibello, Austin “Chance” Field, Nathaniel Miller, and Chris Murad earned their pilot certificates thanks to a scholarship from Able Flight, which funds an intensive training program at Purdue University every year.

2022 marks the 12th year of Able Flight’s partnership with Purdue University, and its 16th year of providing full-ride flight training scholarships and aviation career training scholarships to disabled pilots. Able Flight has 83 certificated pilots, including several who have earned multiple pilot certificates, according to Charles Stites, executive director of the non-profit organization.

The pinning ceremony is slated for Tuesday, July 26 at 10 a.m. at the Experimental Aircraft Association‘s Theater In The Woods.