Flight Instructor Wins AOPA Sweepstakes Aviat Husky
Almquist graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2026 with a degree in commercial aviation and aviation safety, and she is currently a flight instructor at the school.
“We always try to surprise the winners and give our sweepstakes airplanes away in person,” said AOPA Senior Vice President of Media Kollin Stagnito. “In Ashley’s case, we wanted to hand over the keys at EAA AirVenture on Wednesday, but our first two ruses to convince her to attend AirVenture that day unawares didn’t work. After that, we worked with Ashley’s sister Ava to get the entire family to the show on Wednesday.”
After AOPA’s Pilot Town Hall, AOPA Acting Co-President Katie Pribyl encouraged attendees to gather around the Husky and played a game of elimination to surprise the winner. After six questions, Almquist’s hand was the only one raised.
While in a state of disbelief, Almquist was handed the keys to her new airplane by AOPA Board Chairman Luke Wippler.
“I’ve always really wanted to try taildraggers,” said Almquist. “Back at UND they had the aerobatics program, and but by the time I kind of I realized it, I was already… working on my flight instructor [certificate] and so I never really had the time to get into it. So, I’m really excited to try this out and fly it around.”
Almquist’s father is a pilot at United Airlines, and her sister currently flies for a regional airline. Almquist hopes to one day join them both at United.
The winner of each AOPA sweepstakes airplane is picked by an independent sweepstakes administrator, Ventura Associates International. To learn more about this process, click here.
The next sweepstakes airplane, a 1977 Piper Archer II, was announced on July 17. Visit aopa.org/sweeps to learn more about the AOPA Sweepstakes Piper Archer.
*No purchase or contribution necessary to enter or win. A purchase or contribution will not improve your chances of winning. Open to 50 U.S. states (+DC), Canada (excluding Quebec), Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, age 18 years or older (or at least the age of majority as legally mandated by the entrant's jurisdiction of residence if greater than 18) at date of entry. Void where prohibited by law. Ends at 11:59 PM ET on 12/31/27. To enter and view official rules, including entry instructions, fast entry periods, alternate methods of entry for all chances mentioned above and more, visit aopa.org/sweeps. Sponsor: AOPA.
