As it enters its 20th year with 98 certificated pilots, Able Flight is counting the days until the second member of its “Class of 2025” passes their check ride to become Able Flight’s 100th pilot.
Able Flight
Able Flight Class of 2024 to receive their wings at AirVenture
This is the largest class to date for Able Flight, which provides scholarships to people with physical disabilities, according to Charles Stites, executive director.
Able Flight partners with Southern Illinois University
Able Flight will provide two specially adapted Vashon Ranger Light Sport Aircraft in which the student pilots will learn to fly. SIU instructors will receive factory-provided transitional training in the Ranger.
A crowded stage at Oshkosh
When Charles Stites, executive director of Able Flight, sent out his latest press release, he couldn’t help but boast about the non-profit’s latest milestone: “With 10 new scholarships, it looks like it will be a crowded stage for the wings pinning ceremony at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in July!”
Cirrus Aircraft sponsors Able Flight student pilot scholarship
Cirrus Aircraft has committed to sponsoring an Able Flight scholarship for a student pilot for three years starting in 2023.
Able Flight Class of 2023 receive wings at Oshkosh
Able Flight scholarships recipients Tyler Cernik, Bobby Dove, Melvin Du, Leslie Irby, Andrew Kurka, Dijon McCorkle, and William Scheremet earned pilot certificates during an intensive training program at Purdue University between late May and early July.
Able Flight reveals Class of 2023
One member of this year’s class is a veteran wounded in combat, and all use wheelchairs. They will fly three specially-adapted Sky Arrow Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA), and will be taught by instructors at Purdue University.
Six new pilots to receive their wings at Oshkosh
All six new pilots use wheelchairs, and include a veteran wounded in combat and another veteran who became disabled through an accident.
Able Flight Class of 2022 revealed
In a first for the organization, which awards scholarships to people with physical disabilities, all six in the Class of 2022 use wheelchairs due to the results of accidents, illness, or a combat injury.