Jul 12, 2025
Adeline Barrett (center), receives the Ray Aviation Scholarship from the Scholarship Coordinator, Kyle Riedel (left) and Chapter Vice President Mario Dandrea. (Submitted photo)
BUTLER, Pa. — Adeline Barrett of Columbiana received a unique full-scholarship opportunity for flight training, thanks to EAA Chapter 857 of Butler, Pa. This Ray Aviation Scholarship program is administered by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The Ray Aviation Scholarship program provides up to $12,000 scholarships to young people who are seeking to learn to fly. The Ray Foundation has provided $1.8 million to fund the scholarship program, which seeks to improve the flight training success rate from the current industry standards of 20 percent to 80 percent for program participants. Local EAA chapters are responsible for identifying youth for the Ray Aviation Scholarship program and mentoring them through flight training. The Ray Foundation is furthering the legacy of James C. Ray, an EAA lifetime member who was dedicated to aviation and youth education.
Since its introduction in 2019, the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship program has allowed over 350 youths to complete their flight training and receive their pilot licenses. This is the fourth Ray Aviation Scholarship received by Chapter 857 thereby bringing thousands of dollars in flight training to our local flight schools. In addition to this scholarship, Chapter 857 has, for over a decade, offered EAA Air Academy Scholarships to area youth. These scholarships offer an aviation-focused, summer-camp like experience in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There is no better way to expose youth to Aviation and Aerospace opportunities than by participating in an EAA Air Academy event.
Barrett will be training at Haski Aviation based at New Castle Airport, Pa., with Joss Slagle as her instructor. The scholarship is designed to support a flight student through both written and practical segments of flight training that are part of successful FAA pilot certification.
EAA Chapter 857 will hold an upcoming youth-oriented event at the Butler Regional Airport. During the event known as Young Eagle Rallies, kids between the ages of 8 and 17 can register to receive their first flight in a general aviation aircraft by a local pilot. Participants can also meet scholarship recipients to discuss their future for pursuing aviation as a career. Chapter 857 will also present information to participants about youth scholarships available to everyone in the community.
The Young Eagle Rally is scheduled for Aug. 9. More information can be found at the EAA Chapter 857 website: https://chapters.eaa.org/eaa857.
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