Aviation Career Advancement Scholarship for Future Airline Pilots

One frigid December morning at 5:13 a.m., I board a New Jersey Transit commuter bus to a small airport, beginning a three-hour journey toward my goal of sitting in the left seat of an airline cockpit. This routine reflects the level of commitment required to pursue a career in aviation and the consistency needed to make meaningful progress. As a student at Aviation High School in Queens, New York, I have pursued my Airframe Mechanic Certification through an FAA-certified program while simultaneously training as a pilot. By my senior year, I earned my Private Pilot Certificate, gaining both technical knowledge and real-world experience in aircraft operation and safety. In fall 2026, I will attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as a Presidential Scholar and member of the Honors College, where I will continue my flight training and academic development. My goal is to earn a seat in an airline cockpit by the age of twenty-one under a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot certificate. This pursuit extends beyond personal achievement. As an African American man entering aviation, I have rarely seen pilots who look like me. That absence has shaped my perspective and strengthened my drive to succeed, not only for myself but to become a visible example that this path is attainable. One of the greatest challenges in this journey is the cost of flight training. Aviation demands repetition, precision, and continuous improvement, all of which rely on consistent access to flight time. When that access becomes limited, progress slows and proficiency becomes harder to maintain. For example, completing my required three hours of night flying in a single flight cost over $900. While I successfully met the requirement, it demonstrated how quickly financial limitations can restrict opportunities to practice, reinforce skills, and gain confidence in critical areas of flight. This scholarship would provide the opportunity to train more consistently and effectively. With greater access to flight time, I would be able to go beyond minimum requirements, refine essential skills, and approach each phase of training with the level of repetition necessary to build true proficiency. As I enter Collegiate Part 141 Instrument training, maintaining that consistency will become even more important due to the increased complexity and precision required in instrument flying. My journey has been defined by effort, sacrifice, and discipline. That mindset extends beyond aviation. Through the same commitment, I helped bring Aviation High School’s track and field program to its first national-level competition. Balancing early mornings, long commutes, academics, technical training, and athletics has required focus and resilience, qualities that directly translate to success in aviation and in high-pressure environments. I want to be someone younger students can look at and recognize as proof that this path is possible. This scholarship would do more than support my education; it would accelerate my development as a pilot. It would allow me to train without unnecessary limitations, build proficiency at a high level, and continue progressing with purpose. The same determination that drives me to make that 5:13 a.m. commute will carry me through every stage of this journey, allowing me to turn preparation into performance and ultimately into a career defined by skill, responsibility, and lasting impact.

My dream of becoming a pilot began at a young age, but my journey through flight training has been defined as much by mistakes as it has been by progress. Early in my training, I learned a difficult lesson: passion alone does not replace humility and the willingness to ask for guidance. When I first began flight training, I was too proud to ask for help. If something wasn't presented to me on a silver platter, I wouldn't go looking for it. I believed I already knew enough, and because of that mindset I failed to ask important questions. This quickly led me into a cycle of setbacks, delays, and frustration. By the time I finally opened up about my struggles and began asking for guidance, the damage had already been done. My early training had been poorly structured and I had been overcharged for my flights. Although those experiences were discouraging at the time, I thank God that they ultimately taught me valuable lessons about humility, perseverance, and the importance of mentorship. In aviation, safety and responsibility depend on a pilot's willingness to continuously learn, ask questions, and accept guidance from others. These lessons have strongly shaped my goals in aviation. While my ultimate goal is to become an airline pilot flying large jets, I also want to serve as a mentor for other aspiring pilots. I want to be the "big brother" in flight training that I once needed but did not seek out. Aviation can be overwhelming for new students, and many struggle simply because they do not know where to find the right guidance. My goal is to create an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and seeking help without feeling discouraged or judged. In aviation, sharing knowledge is not only about helping others succeed, it is about bringing this success with the strengthening of risk assessment skills and safety analysis. Every pilot benefits when experienced aviators take the time to guide those who are just beginning their journeys. I am already working toward this goal by developing my teaching skills and preparing to support other students in their training. My passion for aviation truly began when I was about six years old. One day my father came home from work with a model of a DHL Boeing 757, a model that I still have to this day. This simple gift sparked a fascination that has only grown stronger over time. I spent countless hours playing with that airplane and imagining what it would be like to fly. As I grew older, technology allowed me to explore aviation even further. What started as watching aviation videos on a tablet eventually turned into using a laptop to explore flight simulators, and later building a desktop computer powerful enough to run advanced flight simulators where I could practice procedures and experiment with different aircraft. Even today I continue to use simulation as a tool to strengthen my understanding of aviation. When I officially began flight training, that same passion carried me through both triumphs and trials. There were times when the challenges of thaining made it difficult to stay motivated, but by the grace of God, this dream never faded. One of the greatest barriers in aviation is gaining the training and experience necessary to build both skill and confidence. I recently passed my Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) exam and am currently working toward my Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) certificate so that I can teach within my school's Flight Club, where I proudly serve as vice president. Mentors like my Flight Club advisor, Mr. Flor, have shown me how powerful it can be when someone invests time and knowledge into helping the next generation of pilots succeed. Because of the opportunities he has had throughout his aviation career, he is able to guide students with wisdom and experience. This scholarship would help relieve the financial pressure placed on my family and would allow me to continue pursuing the training required to become a professional pilot. More importantly, it would allow me to build the knowledge, experience, and leadership skills necessary to guide other aspiring aviators. Aviation has been my dream for as long as I can remember, and the challenges I have faced along the way have only strengthened my determination. With the support of this scholarship, I will continue my training, pursue my goal of becoming an airline pilot, and use my experiences to mentor, support, and insprie the next generation of aviators.

Dear Michael Mulligan, My name is Szymon Kasprowicz. I am currently a senior at Aviation High School located in Long Island City. Over the past few years, I’ve dedicated myself as a pupil to the aviation industry while also working to create opportunities for my peers who share the same passion. I am currently working towards obtaining four aviation licenses: Airframe, Powerplant, Private Pilot, and Part 107 Drone Operator. Academically, I am ranked in the top 5% of students in my technical shop classes. I’ve been selected for a fifth-year program and was chosen to attend the IAM Conference to represent my school. Aviation maintenance and piloting naturally overlap, and pursuing both has given me a deeper understanding of how the ins and outs of an aircraft operate. Additionally training in the cockpit as a flight school student has strengthened my technical knowledge, enhanced my decision-making skills, and given me a greater appreciation for aviation as a skill. In the past two years, I’ve served as President of our school’s Flight Club. When I first stepped into the role, the club had only five members. Since then, we’ve grown it to more than 150 active members. We introduced a Part 61 Ground School program that provides students with 16 free hours of instruction from a certified instructor, preparing them for their written exam and endorsements. In addition to classroom instruction, we maintain and fly our Redbird simulators, giving students hands-on experience with flight procedures, navigation, and aircraft systems in a realistic training environment. The club also runs a Part 107 prep program along with an Alpha Drones USA internship. Through this program, students prepare for the Part 107 written exam while gaining real-world technical experience. During the internship, we are given damaged industrial drones and are responsible for performing maintenance and repairs for Alpha Drones, allowing us to apply both our mechanical knowledge and operational training in a professional setting. Thanks to support from the school and outside sponsors, the cost of both exams is reimbursed for participating students, making these opportunities accessible to many who otherwise might not afford them. Outside of school, I’m a student pilot with Long Island Aviators and have logged 15 flight hours so far. Flying has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, but the cost of each lesson is significant and has become a financial strain on my family. My parents have been working overtime to support both our household and my education, and I’m incredibly grateful for the sacrifices they’ve made to help me pursue my dream of building a career in aviation. Recently, the CEO of Alpha Drones encouraged me to stay in contact with him after I earn my Part 61 Private Pilot License. He expressed how impressed he has been with my leadership and work ethic and mentioned a potential pathway toward the United Airlines Aviate Program. Knowing that opportunities like this may be ahead of me pushes me to keep working harder every day. It represents a real chance to achieve my future goal of flying for the airlines. I am deeply grateful for the mentors, instructors, and supporters who have helped me reach this point and continue to guide me toward my future in aviation