From President Randy Leys

I’m sad to announce that we will not be meeting April 1 for our pot luck dinner due to circumstances I’m sure we are all well aware of. In these times I’m reminded of a quote I heard many years ago. “In every adversity lies the seed of an equal or greater benefit or opportunity.” I’m already encouraged by reports of a dad telling of going for bike ride with his son. Something they had not done in ten years.

I was super excited after visiting with Don Wolfe last week about our combined efforts with the EAA offering bright futures to aviation dreamers I have asked Don to share about that. Take it away Don!

The combined EAA Chapter 526 and Auburn Aviation Association Flight Scholarship interviews are complete. This is the first year for the two organizations to team up with a combined online application and interview process. More about this new program in the article: “Combined Flight Scholarship Program 2020”.

There were over 20 applicants for the two $2500 Flight Scholarships. 6 candidates were chosen to interview on Saturday March 14, 2020.

The Interview Team consisted of Steve Kendall and Brad Hawley from Chapter 526. Jessi Dreschler, James Jacobson and Don Wolfe represented AAA. The greeter table was chaired by Marleen Wekell. The team met at 08:00 in the Barnstormer room and prepared for the first interview at 08:30. Don Wolfe conducted the interviews while the Interview Team rated the candidates.

Following the interviews the team debated the results over a very long lunch from Wings restaurant. All 6 candidates were highly qualified and highly motivated. The decision was not an easy one for the team to achieve. In the end Andrew Chubatenko and Benjamin Rubash were chosen to receive the scholarship funds. Both gentlemen have also been awarded lifetime memberships in Auburn Aviation Association.

Andrew Chubatenko: Andrew is attending the Sierra College with plans to transfer to UC Davis where he will study aerospace engineering. Andrew is looking forward to experiencing aerodynamics first hand at the controls of an aircraft. He is also looking forward to the day he can take his family and friends for an airplane ride. Andrew will be researching Mach 5 Aviation and Sunshine Flyers to discover which flight school is the best fit for his flight training. Andrew was very active as a young flyer in the EAA Young Eagles Program here in Auburn. EAA Chapter 526 will be funding his training.

Benjamin Rubash: Benjamin is attending American River College with plans to transfer to Embry Riddle University in Prescott, AZ. Benjamin is additionally researching options with the Air National Guard and the military. He hopes to become an airline pilot one day and travel the world. Benjamin is currently training at Mach 5 Aviation in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk. His Private Pilot flight check is scheduled for May, 2020. Benjamin will receive the Auburn Aviation Flight scholarship

Shayden Eagleheart and Caden Hamm were awarded the scholarship trips to the EAA Air Academy.

Thanks, Don, for that great exciting report. Until next month Eh!

Randy Leys