Aviation has had a lasting impact on my life by giving me a clear direction, a strong sense of responsibility, and a goal that I am committed to working toward every day. I have always been interested in airplanes growing up, but once I began flight training, aviation became more than just an interest. It became something that challenged me to improve myself and stay focused on long term goals that require discipline, patience, and consistency. I am currently attending the University of Central Missouri as a professional pilot student, where I am continuing both my academic coursework and flight training. I earned my private pilot certificate on May 22, 2025, and my instrument rating on March 20, 2026. Since then, I have continued building experience and currently have around 200 total flight hours. Each rating I have earned represents many hours of preparation and learning, but more importantly, each one has strengthened my confidence and commitment to becoming a professional pilot. Flying has taught me how important decision making, preparation, and responsibility are in high pressure situations. It has also taught me how much growth comes from learning through challenges. Weather planning, instrument flying, and managing workload in the cockpit have all helped me become more disciplined not only as a pilot but also as a student and leader. Aviation has shaped how I approach problems and how I prepare for future opportunities. Through my aviation degree at the University of Central Missouri, I am learning about many areas that are essential to becoming a well rounded aviation professional, including aviation weather, ethics, management, and commercial flight operations. These courses are helping prepare me for the responsibilities that come with working in aviation and reinforcing my goal of continuing through my commercial and instructor ratings so I can build experience and help mentor other student pilots in the future. Outside of my flight training, I stay involved in my community through Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, where I volunteer through our philanthropy supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters. Being involved with this organization has shown me how important mentorship is, especially for younger students who benefit from encouragement and positive role models. Aviation relies heavily on mentorship, and I hope to continue supporting others as I progress in my own career. Ali Safai’s legacy as a flight instructor who inspired future aviators is especially meaningful to me because one of my long term goals is to become a flight instructor while building experience. Flight instructors play an important role in helping students reach milestones that can change their lives. Receiving this scholarship would help me continue progressing toward that goal while honoring someone who dedicated his career to supporting the next generation of pilots. Aviation has given me direction and purpose, and I am committed to continuing the work required to turn this goal into a lifelong career.

I am currently pursuing a career as a professional pilot while attending the University of Central Missouri, where I am working toward completing my aviation degree and continuing my flight training. I have always been interested in airplanes growing up, and that early curiosity is what first inspired me to pursue aviation. Over time, that interest developed into a serious goal as I began learning more about what it takes to become a pilot. Once I started flight training, I quickly realized this was something I wanted to dedicate myself to long term. I earned my private pilot certificate on May 22, 2025, and my instrument rating on March 20, 2026. Since earning those certificates, I have continued building experience and currently have around 200 total flight hours. Each step in training has helped me grow both technically and personally. Learning to manage workload in the cockpit, make safe decisions, and operate in more complex flying environments has strengthened my confidence and confirmed that aviation is the right path for me. My goal is to continue progressing through my commercial, certified flight instructor, and multi engine ratings so that I can build experience, support other student pilots in their training, and eventually pursue a long-term career as a professional pilot. Through my degree program at the University of Central Missouri, I am learning about many different areas that contribute to becoming a well-rounded aviation professional. My coursework includes aviation weather, ethics, aviation management, human factors, commercial flight operations, and other FAA Part 141 training requirements. These classes are helping me better understand the responsibilities pilots have beyond flying itself. They have also shown me how important professionalism, decision making, and communication are within the aviation industry. In addition to my flight training and academic responsibilities, I stay involved in my community through Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Our main philanthropy supports Big Brothers Big Sisters, and I participate in volunteer opportunities connected with that organization. Being involved with Sigma Phi Epsilon has given me the chance to give back and be part of efforts that support younger members of the community. I believe mentorship is especially important, both in aviation and outside of it, and I hope to continue supporting others as I progress in my career. The Kyle Rairdan Memorial Scholarship is meaningful to me because it honors someone who shared the same passion for aviation that motivates me today. Scholarships like this make a real difference for students working toward aviation careers, especially while completing advanced ratings. Receiving this support would help me continue progressing toward my goals while honoring the legacy of someone who cared deeply about flight and the aviation community. Thank you for your time and consideration.