AOPA AV8RS PROGAM AWARDS FOUR FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS

FREDERICK, MD – The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) AV8RS youth membership program has awarded four scholarships totaling more than $22,000 to teens who are pursuing flight training in high school and college.

This year’s scholarship program was funded through the AOPA Foundation, a non-profit organization, and made possible by the Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust.

“We are proud to recognize these four inspirational young AV8RS and help them build the skills they need to become leaders in aviation,” said Mark Baker, AOPA president and CEO.

The winners are:

• Allison M. Adams of Kentucky – Allison is in her first year at Eastern Kentucky University pursuing an Aviation/Pro-Flight degree. She was awarded $8,150 which she will put toward her college tuition. Over the past four years she has volunteered more than 100 hours performing aircraft maintenance at the Capitol City Airport on Saturday mornings.
• Dylan J. Kuchan of Arizona – Dylan is a high school senior at the East Valley Institute of Technology's aviation program. He received $5,000 to complete his primary training and hopes to attend the University of North Dakota to pursue his dream of becoming an international airline pilot. 
• Jason M. Preston of Pennsylvania – Jason is a junior at Avon Grove High School who soloed last November. He received $3,000 to complete his primary training. As founder of his high school’s aviation club, he “hopes to provoke positive social interaction and impact the demographic of the average age of aviators.”
• Nicholas J. Remele of Arizona – Nicholas is a sophomore at Arizona State University where he is pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He received $6,000 to apply toward his college tuition. He is an Eagle Scout and active in the Civil Air Patrol. He hopes to work at Lockheed Martin designing the next generation of military aircraft. 

AV8RS is AOPA’s program to introduce teens aged 13 to 18 to the world of aviation and flight. Membership in AV8RS is free and includes a digital subscription to Flight Training magazine; access to member-only content on www.aopa.org and flightraining.aopa.org; opportunities to connect with other AOPA AV8RS across the country through dedicated online social communities including Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and YouTube; a special e-newsletter with stories about young pilots; scholarship opportunities and more.

About AOPA
Since 1939, AOPA has protected the freedom to fly for thousands of pilots, aircraft owners and aviation enthusiasts. AOPA is the world’s largest aviation member association, with representatives based in Frederick, Md., Washington, D.C., Wichita, Kans., and seven regions across the United States. AOPA provides member services that range from advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels to legal services, flight planning products, safety programs and award-winning media. To learn more, visit www.aopa.org.  
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