Florida teen awarded aerospace scholarship

Central Florida Aerospace Academy student Robert Landen Kincart was awarded a $1,500 aerospace engineering scholarship by JSfirm.com during the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida, to help the aspiring aerospace engineer channel his passion into a profession. The high school senior, who plans to study aeronautical engineering with a focus on astronautical engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, didn’t have to go far to receive the award presented by Executive Director Abbey Hutter. The Aerospace Center for Excellence public school he attends is on the Lakeland Linder International Airport property.

Kincart’s education includes studies in engineering, robotics, aerospace, avionics, unmanned systems, and aircraft maintenance procedures. He earned a Part 107 remote pilot certificate and participated in a hands-on airframe and powerplant internship through the school that left him “craving for more” engineering instruction. He and fellow students worked on a Zenith Aircraft Co. CH 750 Cruzer as part of a class build project. Kincart said the practical knowledge afforded him “a good feeling” about pursuing design work that may someday help others achieve their aviation or aerospace goals.

“It was amazing to be part of that experience. I was there from almost Day One, and it was exciting. From looking at schematics, to riveting, drilling, and deburring” pieces of the two-seat design, “I was very fortunate to get that under my belt. It really changed my life. It’s exciting.”

He explained that working around automobiles, airplanes, and other vehicles has enlightened him to observe “good engineering designs and poor designs. Sometimes you have to pull off manifolds and other parts to get to the smallest things during a repair.”

The Junior ROTC member said he recently arose early to see the predawn liftoff of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon capsule. Kincart said that although he initially aspired to be an astronaut, a more realistic goal would be working in the space industry to design and build aerospace components “and do it in a manner that makes it easier for astronauts or whoever the end user may be.”

Tennessee seaplane pilot wins Collins writing prize

Michael Brown, a 23-year-old instrument- and seaplane-rated pilot from Tennessee, won $2,500 in the third annual Richard L. Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. His article, “The Wrong Stuff,” detailed a seaplane outing with a female passenger that almost ended in disaster because of a crowded lake, curious onlookers, and a racing speedboat.

Air Facts Editor and Sporty’s Pilot Shop Catalog Division Vice President John Zimmerman presented the prize to Brown to encourage his aviation and writing pursuits. The winning article was published in Air Facts.

King Schools NAFI scholarship

King Schools named Allen Reenders of Colorado as the recipient of the $5,000 National Association of Flight Instructors and King Schools Scholarship. Reenders joined King Schools co-founders John and Martha King for the announcement at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo. He plans to pursue a certificated flight instructor-instrument rating and then work as a CFI. Applications for the 2022 scholarship will be available in August.

Carrithers scholarships now open

The GlobalAir.com Calvin L. Carrithers Aviation Scholarships are available to four aviation students pursuing a degree from a U.S. college or university. The scholarships will be awarded in increments of $250 twice during the fall semester and twice during the spring semester to fund flight fees and progress the students’ training. More than two dozen students have been awarded the scholarship, which honors a longtime educator. The application deadline is August 15.