Avfuel Announces Annual Scholarship Recipients
ORLANDO, Fla. / October 16, 2018 / GENERAL AVIATION NEWS – Avfuel Corporation announces Reid Columbia of Dunwoody, Georgia, the recipient of the 20th Annual AVTRIP Scholarship and Madeline Boudreau of Harvey, Louisianna, the recipient of the inaugural Avfuel Pilot-in-Training Aviation Scholarship.
As the captain for a corporate aviation department, Columbia will use the $2,000 scholarship to complete an upset recovery/introduction to aerobatics course to further his safety education.
“Basic aerobatic training is not required in aviation,” said Columbia, “yet it would make me a safer pilot. While it is imperative and excpected to add value to my organization, I look forward to the opportunity to be better versed in advanced flying techniques, like aerobatics and upset recovery, so that I can share it with peers.”
Thomas Karcz, the captain and safety officer at Columbia’s company, said, “As safety officer, I am always looking for innovative ways to incorporate safety initiatives into our department. After learning more about this scholarship and the course Reid wants to attend, I’m confident the techniques and education Reid would receive from this opportunity would positively impact our safety culture…Reid’s flying abilities are a testament to his work ethic and attention to detail, keeping safety of flight his number one priority.”
Boudreau, a student, will use her $1,500 scholarship to complete a PPL prior to starting college, earning her six college credits. She was recently accepted into the University of Nebraska Omaha’s aviation program where she’ll major in professional flight.
“My dream is to be an airline captain and I will make it happen,” said Boudreau. “Imagine what a four-year aviation degree, 1,000 hours in the air, and a newly-minted R-ATP recipient will be capable of. With the resources afforded professional pilots expanding due to the growing shortages, I hope to be in a position to be one of the pilots helping in the wake of hurricanes and to return the favor by helping those unable to afford flight training attain their dreams.”
In addition to her pilot training, Boudreau has already begun to share her love of aviation with others. After a discovery flight and 25 hours of flying, she created The Metro New Orleans High School Let’s Fly Now Initiative.
“The more I fly, the more I love to fly,” said Boudreau. “We are reaching out to high school juniors and seniors to inform them of the vast educational, scholarship and career opportunities offered by the industry. The carrot is an opportunity to actually fly a plane for free …Once many of them get behind the yolk and feel the excitement and challenge of flying, they will fall under its spell, too.”
This year’s addition of the pilot-in-training scholarship yielded an impressive number of applicants. Due to the caliber of the applicant pool, Avfuel also awarded two additional pilot-in-training scholarships of $500 each to Wesley Brinkman of Lexington, Kentucky, and Cole Williams of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, both of whom aspire to be pilots in the United States Air Force. Altogether, Avfuel awarded $4,500 in scholarship monies—the most to date.
“We really wanted to do something special in the AVTRIP Scholarship’s 20th year,” said Marci Ammerman, vice president of marketing for Avfuel. “We strongly felt a sister scholarship to support the next generation of aviators was the right path for us and we were pleased with the response. We wish our scholarship recipients luck in their endeavors and are excited to follow their stories.”
ABOUT AVFUEL CORPORATION
Avfuel provides fuel and services to the global aviation industry and is the leading independent supplier in the United States. Established as a supply and logistics company 45 years ago, Avfuel is core competent in every aspect that surrounds the delivery of fuel – from refinery to wingtip. Avfuel combines global access with personalized service throughout a fueling network of more than 3,000 locations worldwide and 650+ Avfuel-branded dealers. Our 100% dedication to aviation demonstrates our passion and commitment to a global community that prospers on the movement of goods and services around the world.
Contacts: Avfuel Corporation: Marci Ammerman, Vice President Marketing, 734-663-6466, [email protected], www.avfuel.com, facebook.com/avfuel, Twitter: @Avfuel
Hello,
I was hoping to apply for the annual scholarship. Can you please provide me with the link to do so.
Thank you,
Ricardo
Thank you for your interest in our scholarship, Ricardo! Applications will be available in August at https://www.avfuel.com/AVTRIP/Maximize-AVTRIP/Apply-for-Scholarship. I’ve also shared your email with our AVTRIP coordinator, Jessyca, and she’ll be reaching out to you when the time comes. Thank you again for your interest and for reading the Avfuel Blog!
@AVfuel, you think you can send me a link as well when the time comes?
Thanks!
Val
Absolutely! Thank you for your interest, Val.
Avfuel:
I am interested in the annual scholarship and will be a full-time student this fall semester at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. May you please send me the link?
Thank you,
David T. Becker
We’d be happy to send it your way as well! The link will be available in August and you’ll receive a message then. Best of luck with your studies, David!
Good day to you. Can I also have the application link sent to me when the time comes?
Thanks in advance,
Dewayne
Absolutely! Thank you for your interest, Dewayne.
Hello! I am interested in the link as well. Also, what are the requirements of application candidates?
Thank you for your interest, Lisa! We’ll add you to the list.
This past year, both scholarships included a component of short essays and experiences.
For the 2018 AVTRIP Pilot-in-Training Scholarship, applicants had to be at least 16 years of age, not yet have a pilot’s license, demonstrate an interest in aviation education and achieving pilot’s license, complete all information in application packet, and not be an Avfuel employee and/or relative of an Avfuel employee.
For the 2018 AVTRIP Scholarship, applicants had to be a current AVTRIP Member (new member enrollments applied), have accrued 250 AVTRIP points in the previous 24 months, demonstrate an interest in continuing their aviation education, complete all information in application packet, and not be an Avfuel employee and/or relative of an Avfuel employee.
Please know that criteria may change for the 2019 applications, but we’ll let you know when they come available!
Thank you again!
-The Avfuel Team
I was your Avfuel Scholarship recipient several years ago (sometime between 2001 and 2005).
I’ve misplaced mine but can you please e-mail me my article entitled “Avfuel Announces Annual Scholarship Recipients” – for 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, or 2005?
Thank you!
Hi Patrick:
Thanks for reaching out! I’ll look around in our archives this week and see what I can find. Hope all is well!
Best,
Krista
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Avfuel Corporation