EAA Chapter 430Scholarships at EAA Chapter 430
Our chapter helps young people take the next step in aviation, from a first solo to a college degree. The money comes from our members and friends, through raffles, fundraisers, and direct gifts. [Jan 2019, Jul 2026]
Scholarship chair: Linda Priddle, scholarship@eaa430.org
The EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship
The Ray Aviation Scholarship is an EAA Ray Foundation program that pays for a young person’s flight training toward a Private Pilot Certificate. EAA approves chapters to run it locally. The chapter picks the candidate, applies on their behalf, and mentors them through training. [Mar 2024, Dec 2024, Jun 2026]
History. Our scholarship chair, Dave Miller, began looking into hosting a Ray Scholarship in 2023 [Jul 2023]. EAA approved the chapter in early 2024 and again in 2025. [Mar 2024, Mar 2025]
What it covers. A full Ray Scholarship is worth up to $12,000, one per year. There is also a matching option: two scholarships a year worth $11,000 in total, with the chapter providing 25% ($2,750). [Jun 2024]
Who it’s for. Young people from our area who are ready to learn to fly. Both of our Ray Scholars so far found aviation through our Young Eagles flights. [Mar 2024, Mar 2025] EAA sets these requirements:
- Be 16 to 19 years old for powered training (Private or Sport Pilot), or 15 to 19 for gliders.
- Hold a student pilot certificate, and for Private Pilot training, at least a third class medical.
- Have taken at least one EAA Young Eagles flight.
- Be nominated by our chapter and then approved by EAA.
EAA gives extra consideration to students who have flown more than once as Young Eagles, are EAA student members, or have worked through the Young Eagles Flight Plan with the Sporty’s online course.
What we ask of scholars. Ray Scholars give the chapter two hours of volunteer time each month and keep to a steady pace: first solo within 3 months, the FAA written exam within 6, and the checkride within 12.
How and when to apply. Applications for the 2027 Ray Scholarship are filed in January and February 2027. [Sep 2026] Contact our scholarship chair, Linda Priddle, at scholarship@eaa430.org to be considered.
Chapter academic scholarships
Separate from EAA’s Ray Scholarship, EAA 430 runs its own chapter scholarships, paid for by our members and friends. Each one is $1,500 per year. Since at least the 2015-2016 school year, they have helped students working toward a college degree in aviation. [Jun 2019; amount confirmed by Erik Oct 2026]
- Who it’s for: students seeking a career in aviation and working toward a bachelor’s or associate degree. Past recipients have included pilots and aeronautical engineers, and A&P mechanic students are welcome to apply. [Jan 2019]
- What it covers: $1,500 per year, paid directly to the school’s registrar for tuition and fees, which frees up the student’s own money for flying. All we ask in return is a copy of transcripts showing progress toward graduation. [Jan 2019, Mar 2021]
- Recipients so far: Seth Mulhausen (Rocky Mountain College) [Jan 2019], Jacob Kirschbaum (University of North Dakota) [May 2019, Dec 2021], Madeline Patterson (University of North Dakota) [Mar 2021], Daniel Weaver (University of Washington) [Mar 2021, Sep 2023], Henry Brown and Noah Kaser [Oct 2024], Aiden Lara [Nov 2024], and Gunner Rogers [Sep 2026].
We have also helped young members attend EAA’s Air Academy in Oshkosh. Jazmin Stamper and Nathan Nelson went in 2025. [Nov 2024, Aug 2025]
Scholar stories
Tap a story to read the full article and see the photos, as it ran in our newsletter.
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September 2026 From the Left Seat: Gunner Rogers Named Our Newest Scholarship Recipient Gunner Rogers Thanks to members' continued generosity, the board selected Gunner Rogers as the chapter's newest scholarship recipient. Gunner attends the University of North Dakota and is quickly earning his pilot ratings, and the support will help him finish his college degree.
By From the Left Seat, Ray Ballantyne, President
Due to the continued generosity of the chapter members, we are pleased to report that the board recently selected Gunner Rogers as our newest scholarship recipient. Gunner is currently attending the University of North Dakota and is rapidly acquiring his pilot ratings and licenses. This support will help him finish his college degree.
- July 2026 From the Left Seat: An Update on Our New Aviators Jazmin Stamper, Gunner Rogers, Aiden Lara
President Ray Ballantyne gave a quick update on the chapter's new aviators. Jazmin Stamper recently received her Private Pilot License, Gunner Rogers was on the last stage of his flight instructor training, and Aiden Lara applied to the Horizon Air Pilot program.
By From the Left Seat, with President Ray Ballantyne
Here’s an update on some of our new aviators: Jazmin recently received her Private Pilot License, Sid just solo’d, Gunner is on the last stage of his Certified Flight Instructor, and Aidan has applied for the Horizon Air Pilot program. How exciting is that?
- July 2026 Amazing Journey: Private Pilot, with Jazmin Stamper and family Jazmin Stamper
Jazmin Stamper thanked her parents and the chapter for her path from Young Eagles to Build and Fly, the Ray scholarship and the EAA Air Academy. She has started helping with Young Eagles herself and planned to fly her parents for the first time as a Private Pilot on July 14.
By letter signed Jazmin Stamper (section headed "Jazmin")
Thanks to my parents for homeschooling me. I have always been interested in the unusual things, when it comes to art, music, and random facts. In 2016, my Mom and Dad brought me to my first Young Eagles, and I loved it. It was new and different than anything else. For me, flying gives me a feeling of freedom, from gravity, and any thoughts or worries I may have. To be flying and enjoying the moment, focusing on the task at hand, and being free.
Starting from Young eagles, then Build and Fly, getting the Ray scholarship, and going to the Air Academy (which I also got to go to Air Venture too).
I’ve learned so much and have made many friends along the way. I’m so unbelievably grateful for everyone who has helped me along the way. I’m also very grateful that I have been able to experience this support and love from the people around me, and I hope to be able to give back in ways I can. For instance, I have been able to help with Young Eagles starting this year and many many more to come. Tomorrow (Tuesday, 7/14) I will be flying my parents for the first time as a Private Pilot.
Thank you all for the support that you have given me, and I hope you all have wonderful evenings.
Thank you, Jazmin Stamper
- July 2026 Amazing Journey: Mom and Dad Jazmin Stamper
Justin and Alejandra Stamper explained that they homeschooled Jazmin and found Young Eagles in 2016, where she became fascinated with flight. They thanked EAA 430 for supporting her through Young Eagles, Build and Fly, the Air Academy trip and her Ray Scholarship, and said she would take them on their first flight together on July 14.
By letter signed Justin and Alejandra Stamper, with a PS signed Alejandra Stamper
We decided to homeschool Jazmin. We wanted her to live and have experiences outside of a mainstream, normal life. That led us to always be looking for new experiences and unusual routes of education. We found Young Eagles in that long ago summer of 2016. We were so excited to see her fascinated with flight and took her back every opportunity we could. We would like to thank EAA 430 and everyone involved for supporting her through Young Eagles, sponsoring her trip to The Air Academy, Build and Fly, and for helping her get her Ray Scholarship. We could not be more blessed than to see her accomplish all she has. Our hope for her has always been to live an extraordinary and unusual life, and she is well on her way. As you know, she now has her Private Pilot’s License. She will be taking us on our first flight together this Tuesday (7/14). We are so happy with who she is becoming and are excited for her future!
Thank you, Justin and Alejandra Stamper
…
PS: mi mundo es mi familia y con cada paso que dan yo los sigo y admiro, mis hijos mi hija quien son lo mejor de mi. Gracias por la constante atención.
Gracias Alejandra Stamper
…
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July 2026 Amazing Journey: Editor's Note on Jazmin's Private Pilot Certificate Jazmin Stamper The editor congratulated Jazmin Stamper and her parents, Justin and Alejandra, on her private pilot certificate. The chapter contributed mentorship and a $12,000 EAA Ray Foundation Aviation Scholarship award, but the editor credited Jazmin and her parents with the final push.
By Editor (signed "Editor" preceded by an em dash; rendered here as "Editor")
Achieving a private pilot certificate is no small accomplishment. It’s huge. It takes levels of dedication and commitment that are often beyond anything anticipated at the beginning of the process. Congratulations to Jazmin. Great job! Congratulations to her parents Justin and Alejandra for the steadfast support of their daughter on her amazing journey.
EAA Chapter 430 members can be proud too. We have been fortunate to be able to contribute with mentorship and a $12,000 EAA Ray Foundation Aviation Scholarship award. That’s certainly a big boost, but the final push, up to and over the top, came from Jazmin and her parents. That’s just so cool. Well done.
Editor
Photo captions as printed: “Private Pilot - ASEL”
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- July 2026 Academic Scholarship Updates with Dave Miller Noah Kaser, Henry Brown
Former scholarship director Dave Miller checked in with two of the chapter's academic scholarship recipients. Noah Kaser has a little over a year left at the University of Washington and is on the hardware team of Washington Aerial Robotics. Henry Brown is looking for pilot jobs in a competitive market for low-time pilots and thanked the chapter for its help with his aviation degree.
By with Dave Miller
Recently, former and long-time chapter scholarship director, Dave Miller reached out to our academic scholarship recipients to see how they’re doing.
Noah Kaser:
Hi, David.
For the moment I am still a student at the University of Washington and I have a little over another year left. My current plans are to build experience in technical matters through my club and to focus on building connections and securing an internship.
I am a member of the hardware team of Washington Aerial Robotics, WAAR, and I am enjoying my work so far.
I’m not certain about my plans post-graduation at this moment as there is a lot that can and will change in the following year.
Sincerely, Noah Kaser
Henry Brown:
Hello David,
As of now, I am on the search for any pilot-related jobs. I have mostly been applying to CFI jobs, but have extended my search to other piloting or airplane related jobs in the midst of a highly competitive job market for low-time pilots.
That being said, if you hear of any related opportunities, please send them my way!
Thank you again for their [EAA 430] academic scholarship, it has been extremely helpful for paying budgeting my aviation degree!
Best regards, Henry Brown
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June 2026 EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship Success Jazmin Stamper Jazmin Stamper earned her Private Pilot Certificate for Airplane Single Engine Land. With her own hard work, her parents' support and the chapter's mentorship and administration of Ray Foundation Scholarship funding, she became the second Ray Scholarship recipient to reach that goal. She came up through the chapter's Young Eagles and Build and Fly programs.
By none
Let’s get right to it - Jazmin Stamper has earned her Private Pilot Certificate for Airplane Single Engine Land.
With Jazmin’s hard work, the enthusiastic support of her parents and a boost from EAA Chapter 430’s mentorship and administration of EAA Ray Foundation Scholarship award funding, she has become the second of Ray Scholarship recipients to achieve this goal. Jazmin was part of EAA 430’s Build and Fly Program and also one of our Young Eagles.
We’ll look forward to hearing more from Jazmin about her journey, sometime very soon. In the meantime, perhaps she can take a breather and see about getting her driver’s license. Congratulations Jazmin!
Photo captions as printed: “Jazmin gets some recognition at EAA 430 - VMC/IMC Club”; “Jazmin with her mom, CFI Daniel Weaver and her dad”; “Proud mom, Alejandra”
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- May 2026 From the Left Seat: Our Ray Scholar Is Days Away from Her Private Pilot License Jazmin Stamper
President Ray Ballantyne reported that one of the chapter's Young Eagles, who fell in love with flying and received a Ray Scholarship, was days away from earning her Private Pilot License. He used her story to encourage members to fly in the June 6 Young Eagles rally.
By From the Left Seat, with President Ray Ballantyne
I know Bud Davies has put out a call for Young Eagle pilots. The National goal is to reach 2.5 million youth flown. One incentive they’re offering is a $25 credit to the chapter for any first time YE pilots. One of our YE youth fell in love with flying and received a Ray Scholarship. She is days away from getting a Private Pilot License! I hope you will consider flying in our June 6 rally.
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February 2026 Full Circle Aiden Lara Aiden Lara traces his path from a Young Eagles flight at age eight to earning his Private Pilot certificate in August 2024 and building about 250 hours. In 2025 he flew Young Eagles himself in the same airplane that once carried him, and he has organized group fly-outs and helped with the Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire. He credits mentors including Emily Westcott and Linda Priddle and aims to fly for an airline or in corporate aviation.
By Aiden Lara
I’ve loved airplanes for as long as I can remember. Even as a little kid, I was the one staring at the sky whenever I heard an engine overhead. Some of my earliest memories of aviation come from watching the World War II aircraft from The Collings Foundation fly into William R. Fairchild Airport in Port Angeles. Seeing those historic airplanes up close made aviation feel real and alive, not just something distant in the sky. Even then, I think I knew flying would somehow be part of my life.
My first real step into aviation came in the summer of 2013, when I was eight years old and had my first Young Eagles flight. I met a pilot named Joe Platt, who flew a 1946 Aeronca Champ. Sitting in that airplane for the first time and feeling it lift off the runway was unforgettable. It wasn’t just exciting. It felt meaningful, like I had crossed a threshold from dreaming about flying to actually experiencing it.
Not long after, I met Emily Westcott and her Cessna 172, “Sally.” She flew me as a Young Eagle as well, and that flight left a lasting impression on me. Emily became both a mentor and a friend, and over time I went from being a passenger in Sally to flying with her regularly. Today, we fly together all the time, and one of the things we’ve especially enjoyed is collecting stamps for the Fly Washington Passport Program, turning each trip into both an adventure and a shared accomplishment.
I was also fortunate to experience aviation from another angle through radio-controlled flying with the Sequim RC Aeronauts. Flying RC aircraft gave me a hands-on understanding of aerodynamics, control, and patience, and it deepened my appreciation for how airplanes really work. It was there that I met Linda Priddle, who has been an incredible mentor, friend, and supporter throughout my aviation journey. Her encouragement and guidance, along with the welcoming RC community, helped strengthen my confidence and passion for flight in ways that continue to shape me as a pilot today.
Years later, in August of 2024, I earned my Private Pilot certificate, a milestone that marked the realization of a goal I had worked toward for years. Since then, I’ve continued flying as often as possible and have built up around 250 hours of flight time, gaining experience, confidence, and an even deeper appreciation for aviation with every flight. Along the way, I’ve also developed a strong interest in weather and have really enjoyed learning to understand it better, knowing how important it is for safe and thoughtful decision-making as a pilot.
In the summer of 2025, I found myself in the left seat as Pilot in Command, taking Young Eagles up for their own first flights, in that very same airplane. That moment was a full-circle experience I’ll never forget. Looking over at a new Young Eagle seeing the world from above for the first time, I saw the same amazement I had felt back when I was eight years old. Being able to pass that experience on, in the same plane that once carried me as a first-time flyer, made me realize just how powerful aviation can be as well as what an important program the Young Eagles is to the future of aviation.
I’ve also truly enjoyed being a member of EAA Chapter 430 and am grateful for all the help and encouragement they’ve given me along the way. The aviation community they’ve built on the Olympic Peninsula is something special: welcoming, supportive, and passionate about flying. One of my favorite parts has been the monthly fly-outs, which bring pilots together and keep everyone engaged and excited about getting into the air regularly. That sense of community has played a huge role in keeping my motivation strong and my love of aviation growing.
My family, mentors, and friends have supported me throughout this journey, encouraging me to keep going even when training got challenging. Every lesson has brought me closer to my goals. At the end of March, I’ll be earning my AA degree, another milestone on my path.
As I’ve become more involved in the aviation community, I’ve also enjoyed helping bring pilots together by organizing group fly-outs. One of my favorite experiences was coordinating a trip to Yakima to tour the CubCrafters factory, which was both inspiring and educational for everyone who attended. I also organized a monthly fly-out to Roche Harbor, creating another opportunity for pilots to stay active, connect, and share their passion for flying. I also had the opportunity to help coordinate the Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire, which was a rewarding experience that allowed me to contribute behind the scenes and support an event that brings the aviation community together and inspires others to share in the excitement of flight. I’ve discovered that I really enjoy planning these events and seeing people come together through aviation, and I’m already looking forward to organizing another group trip this year to tour the Van’s Aircraft factory.
My long-term goal is to become a commercial pilot and work either in the airlines or in corporate aviation. Flying started as a childhood fascination, but it’s grown into something much bigger: a direction for my future and a passion I know will stay with me for life. No matter where this path leads, I’ll always remember those first flights, because that’s where everything truly began.
Photo captions as printed: “Emily and Aiden with ”; ” (1 photo). PDF p.7: 1 uncaptioned photo. PDF p.8 caption: ”
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- November 2025 From the Left Seat: Jazmin Stamper Passes Her Private Pilot Written Jazmin Stamper
Ray Scholar Jazmin Stamper passed her Private Pilot written exam and was preparing for a long solo cross-country flight. President Ray Ballantyne also noted that the chapter was helping young aviators in the local Civil Air Patrol squadron work through their Sporty's ground school.
By From the Left Seat, With President Ray Ballantyne
We are currently working with the local Civil Air Patrol Squadron helping prospective young aviators work through the Sporty’s ground school they received by being a Young Eagle. And our Ray Scholar, Jazmin Stamper, recently passed her Private Pilot written exam and is preparing for a long solo cross country. That’s how we are keeping aviation vibrant on the Peninsula.
- September 2025 More from Ray Gunner Rogers, Jazmin Stamper
Ray Ballantyne shared updates on the chapter's new aviators. Gunner Rogers, the first Ray Scholar, received his Commercial Pilot License at the University of North Dakota and was moving on to multiengine training. Jazmin Stamper, the second Ray Scholar, had received her student license and was working toward her private pilot license.
By Ray (Ray Ballantyne), per the heading "More from Ray"
I wanted to give you an update on some of our new aviators:
Sid Vandiver has enrolled in Olympia and is actively pursuing his Private Pilot License (PPL). Sid got engaged in aviation after attending a Flying Start event.
Gunner Rogers, our first Ray Scholar, just received his Commercial Pilot License at UND and is moving on to multiengine.
Gena Nickel, who just joined the chapter, recently earned her PPL in Auburn.
Jazmin Stamper, our second Ray Scholar, has received her student license and is working hard to get her PPL soon!
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September 2025 Letters home from EAA AIR ACADEMY Jazmin Stamper, Nathan Nelson Jazmin Stamper and Nathan Nelson sent handwritten letters thanking the chapter for sending them to the EAA Air Academy. Both described hands-on workshops such as making wing ribs, and Jazmin also mentioned welding, composite work and a helicopter ride.
By handwritten letters signed Jazmin C. Stamper and Nathan Nelson
Hello and thank you Chapter 430, those who support it and my family.
I had a great experience at the Air Academy, and the adventures that come with it,
I have also have made new friends and acquaintances, through the games and workshop, speaking of workshops,
I have done fun and new things, such as welding, making wing ribs, using sheet metal to make a pencil and phone stand, and even making a knee board out of composite.
Upon this finale day I am thankful for the people I met along the way, and the helicopter ride to top it off.
Sincerly, Jazmin C. Stamper August 1st [UNCLEAR: rest of date cut off in the photo]
Dear EAA Chapter 430,
Thank you for sending me to EAA air academy. This was a big opportunity for me and I think it will help me in the future. We have done many fun things like make wooden wing ribs and take apart engines and many more fun things these five day[UNCLEAR: final letter and punctuation cut off at the edge of the photo]
Thank you, Nathan [UNCLEAR: mark between first and last name] Nelson
Photo captions as printed: “Jazmin Stamper”; “Nathan Nelson”
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August 2025 EAA 430 Scholarships At Work Jazmin Stamper Linda Priddle wrote that Jazmin Stamper, the first and only graduate of the chapter's Build and Fly Program, has now soloed in a real airplane. She recalled watching Jazmin fly the program's LT-40 model so smoothly that she thought Robert Ball was flying, and credited her parents' steady support.
By - Linda Priddle
Jazmin was the first and only graduate of EAA430’s Build and Fly Program. Her parents were steadfast in their support and that makes all the difference. She quickly picked up the simulator flying and went on to the LT-40 that had been built. I watched her first flight with Robert Ball at the Olympic Silent Flyers field. I thought Robert was giving a demonstration flight - solid, level, controlled… It was Jazmin flying! Now she has gone on to solo for real! Fair Winds, Jazmin. We are all so proud of you.
- Linda Priddle
Photo captions as printed: “This Smile Says It All”; “CONGRATULATIONS, JAZMIN !”; “Jazmin’s Family Celebration”; “Thanks to Dave Miller”; “Timeless Tradition”
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July 2025 Nathan's Excellent Adventure Nathan Nelson Nathan Nelson's father, Norm, wrote that Nathan finished his EAA Air Academy camp and shared photos of him with the other campers. EAA 430 sponsored Nathan at the Academy, where he celebrated his 14th birthday, and Norm thanked the chapter for the experience.
By note signed "-Norm." (Norm Nelson, Nathan's father)
Hi folks,
Nathan finished his Air Academy camp last week, then my mom picked him up and they flew to her home in Rhode Island, where he’s now enjoying the hot New England weather by body surfing in the ocean, swimming in pools, and sailing in Narragansett Bay…
Today we received an email from the Air Academy Coordinator, with some pics of the Explore 2 campers doing their activities last week… I thought I’d share a few that had Nathan in them… thanks again for sponsoring him for this incredible experience!
-Norm.
Nathan was sponsored at the National EAA Air Academy by EAA430 where he celebrated his 14th birthday.
Photo captions as printed: “This Smile Says It All”; “AIR ACADEMY LODGE”; “Nathan was sponsored at the National EAA Air Academy by EAA430 where he celebrated his 14th birthday.”
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- June 2025 From the Left Seat: Gunner Rogers Joins Our Young Eagle Pilots Gunner Rogers, Aiden Lara, Jazmin Stamper
President Ray Ballantyne reported that former Young Eagle and Ray Foundation scholar Gunner Rogers joined the chapter as its newest Young Eagle pilot, with Aiden Lara also giving rides. He added that Jazmin Stamper, the current Ray scholar, had started her flight training, and that over 50 youth flew at the rally.
By From the Left Seat, With President Ray Ballantyne
The first chapter Young Eagle rally will be in the books by the time you read this. I trust we impacted a lot of youth*. The coolest thing is one of our former Young Eagles and recent Ray foundation scholar is joining us as our newest young Eagle pilot. Way to go Gunner Rogers! Another young eagle graduate giving rides is Aiden Lara. And watch out for our current Ray scholar, Jazmin Stamper who has started her flight training.
*We sure did - over 50 took flight on Young Eagles Day!!
- June 2025 June's Young Eagles Rally Was a Huge Success: Our Ray Scholar Pays It Forward (excerpt) Gunner Rogers
The June Young Eagles rally flew 62 kids with 11 pilots. Ray Scholar Gunner Rogers paid it forward by renting a plane from Citizen Air just to take part.
By none
June’s Young Eagles Rally WAS A HUGE SUCCESS
We flew 62 kids!!!!
Weather was gorgeous for once and everyone had a great time. BIG THANKS to our 11 pilots including 3 from other chapters.
Our Ray Scholar, Gunnar, was paying it forward too. He rented a plane from Citizen Air just to participate.
Our hardworking ground volunteers kept things moving.
NEXT EVENT - AUGUST 23 Watch for announcements in a few weeks.
- May 2025 From the Left Seat: Jazmin Stamper Awarded $12,000 Ray Scholarship Jazmin Stamper, Gunner Rogers
At a chapter dinner, the chapter announced that Jazmin Stamper had been awarded $12,000 for flight training from the Ray Foundation. Gunner Rogers, the chapter's other scholar, had just received his instrument rating at the University of North Dakota.
By From the Left Seat, With President Ray Ballantyne
During the dinner we announced that Jazmine Stamper has been awarded $12,000 for flight training from the Ray foundation. Our other scholar, Gunner Rogers, just received his instrument rating at UND.
- May 2025 Where Are They Now: Jazmin Stamper Jazmin Stamper
In the second of a series by former Young Eagles, Jazmin Stamper described her first Young Eagles flight in 2018 and her path through the Build and Fly program, online ground school and chapter meetings. She wrote that the chapter funded her trip to the EAA Air Academy and selected her as its Ray Scholarship recipient, which will pay for her Private Pilot Certificate.
By letter signed Jazmin Stamper (introduced as "the second of a series of articles written by former Young Eagles")
This is the second of a series of articles written by former Young Eagles
Hello there, my name is Jazmin Stamper.
My first EAA Young Eagles flight was in 2018. It was the first time I had flown in a small plane, and I loved it. Being up in the air was an amazing experience. I enjoyed looking at the ocean and the mountains near where we were flying. I’ve been going to the Young Eagles ever since, and they all have been a great learning experience. The more I go the more I learn. I’ve piloted a few times, as well, after the pilot takes off, they will fly in the pattern until we get to safe area and hand over some of the controls. I once flew the whole flight except taking off and landing since those are harder to do and I have landed once.
The EAA Young Eagles has various planes, my favorite aircraft is a biplane. I’ve flown in one a few times and I find it so cool that when you’re flying the engine keeps you warm even with only a windshield. In 2023 I started doing the Build and Fly program to help build a model airplane and graduated from the class. We flew the plane at the local Olympic Silent Flyers field. A year ago, I started to do Sporty’s Online Ground School, began attending the local EAA chapter meetings, and the VMC/IMC meetings. As I got to know more people and go to more meetings, they saw that I was committing to a career in aviation. They began to offer more opportunities like helping in the next Build and Fly program to help other youth to build their model planes. This year they have given me funding to attend the EAA Air Acadamy in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. They are also electing me, this year, to be their Ray Scholarship recipient which will pay for my Private Pilot Certificate. I am so grateful for their support!
I never thought that these opportunities would happen for me. Don’t be afraid to explore the world of aviation!
Sincerely, Jazmin Stamper
- April 2025 From the Left Seat: Gunner Rogers Earns His Instrument Rating Gunner Rogers
President Ray Ballantyne announced that Ray Scholarship recipient Gunner Rogers had earned his instrument airplane rating. The same column shared that the chapter received GOLD chapter recognition for 2024.
By From the Left Seat (Ray Ballantyne)
It’s really exciting to be part of EAA430. We just received notification that we have received the GOLD chapter recognition for 2024! Our Young Eagles credits have come in, and our Ray Scholarship recipient Gunner Rogers just earned his Instrument Airplane rating. I’m also proud to announce that this year my son Dan finished his Instrument rating, Commercial Pilot, and Multi engine rating. How about that!
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April 2025 Where Are They Now: Daniel Weaver Daniel Weaver In the first of a series by former Young Eagles, Daniel Weaver recalled taking the controls of an RV-9 at a Young Eagles rally in Sequim on his 13th birthday and studying the free online ground school that came with it. He went on to earn commercial pilot and flight instructor ratings and now works as a charter pilot and instructor at KCLM.
By none (first-person; introduced as "the first of a series of articles written by former Young Eagles")
This is the first of a series of articles written by former Young Eagles
I have been interested in aviation for as long as I can remember. When I was growing up my family and I did a lot of airline flying and I was always in awe of the mechanical complexity of the giant metal tubes hurtling through the air at 500mph. At a very young age I had made up my mind that I wanted to be a pilot when I grew up. However, given that none of my family members were pilots I didn’t really have anyone who could guide me on the first steps to becoming a pilot. As a present for my 13th birthday my aunt took me to my first Young Eagles rally in Sequim. At the rally I got the opportunity to take the controls of an RV-9 and for the first time it started to feel like learning to fly was an achievable goal. As part of the Young Eagles program the EAA provides a free online private pilot ground school which I started vigorously studying. The free ground school gave me a strong foundation of knowledge which came in handy my senior year of high school I when was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship which covered part of the cost of my PPL. Since then I have gone on to pursue my commercial pilot and flight instructor ratings and I am now working as a charter pilot and instructor at KCLM and doing my best to set my students up for success.
- March 2025 From the Left Seat: Jazmin Stamper Nominated for Our Ray Scholarship Jazmin Stamper
With headquarters approving the chapter to administer a Ray scholarship, Scholarship Chairman David Miller was sending in an application for Young Eagle Jazmin Stamper. She was to be the chapter's next scholarship recipient.
By From the Left Seat, With President Ray Ballantyne
David Miller has also been busy as our scholarship chairman with the recent approval from headquarters to administer a Ray scholarship. We are now in the process of sending in an application for one of our Young Eagles, Jazmin Stamper, to be our next scholar recipient.
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December 2024 Welcome New Member Jazmin Stamper Jazmin Stamper Jazmin Stamper, 16, introduced herself as a new member and described a 2024 Young Eagles flight in which Ray Ballantyne let her fly his airplane. In an addendum, Linda Priddle wrote that Jazmin was the only one of nearly 20 participants to complete the 2023 Build and Fly Program and quickly became a capable RC pilot.
By "Interview with Jasmin Stamper submitted by Skip Brown"; addendum by Linda Priddle, OSF Treasurer
Hello, my name is Jazmin C. Stamper, and I’m 16 years old. I currently have no pilot’s license, or an airplane for that matter. I was born in Sequim and have lived here since. When I was growing up, I never really thought much about what I was going to be, but I knew it had something to do with arts and crafts. After going to the EAA Young Eagles and taking my first small aircraft flight, there was something about flying that made me want to pursue it and do more with it. Other than aviation, I make polymer clay gnomes on wood rounds and polymer clay dragons. I sell them at a consignment shop in Sequim. I also like to listen to music and love to learn about nature.
The last EAA Young Eagles flight I went on was in July or August 2024 and I was flying with Ray Ballantyne. After he took off, he let me fly his airplane along the flight path. Along the way, he flew the plane up and down so I could feel it. Going down and the feeling of the plane falling faster than you are was a weird feeling, yet very fun to experience. As we were starting our descent towards the runway, we were too high, so he did a forward slip to lose altitude. It was the same feeling but more concerning since we were closer to the ground, and to finish it off, it was a nice landing.
I love the feeling of being in the air, the feeling of not having to worry about the world below, and being in the moment. I think the best part of aviation is even if you have a scary, hard, or difficult experience while flying the aircraft or as a passenger, you will always be back for more.
Personal addendum to this article …
Jazmin was an exciting participant in the EAA Build and Fly Program in 2023. She was one of nearly 20 participants who started the program, but the only one who completed it. She worked well in the construction of the RC model LT-40, but where she really excelled was on the simulator. Robert Ball worked with her and in no time she was very competent, ready to move on to a real flight. I watched that flight From a distance in total awe. I actually thought Robert was demonstrating maneuvers, but it was Jazmin, flying like she’d been doing it for years. The Olympic Silent Flyers and the Build and Fly volunteers are very proud of her accomplishments and look forward to watching her spread her wings in the future.
Linda Priddle, OSF Treasurer
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November 2024 From the Left Seat: Another Ray Scholarship Application and Two Air Academy Campers Jazmin Stamper, Nathan Nelson The chapter applied for another Ray Foundation Scholarship and hoped to nominate a candidate soon after the first of the year. President Ray Ballantyne also reported that two new prospective aviators would attend the EAA Air Academy in Oshkosh in the summer.
By FROM THE LEFT SEAT, with RAY BALLANTYNE (column heading as printed)
The Chapter has applied for another Ray Foundation Scholarship and we hope to nominate a candidate right after the first of the year. We also have two new prospective aviators going to the EAA Air Academy in Oshkosh this summer.
Photo captions as printed: “Ray with Gunner Rogers”
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- November 2024 Nathan Nelson is going to Aviation Camp! Nathan Nelson
Nathan Nelson sent the chapter a handwritten card thanking it for the chance to attend EAA camp. The newsletter shared his note with the news that he is going to aviation camp.
By none; handwritten card from Nathan Nelson
Thank you for the opportunity to attend EAA camp!!!!
From: Nathan Nelson
- October 2024 From the Left Seat: A Third Scholarship and EAA Air Academy Funding Nathan Nelson, Jazmin Stamper
The board decided to add a third scholarship beyond its two current ones and to use its Young Eagles credits to send Nathan Nelson to the EAA Air Academy in Oshkosh. It also offered funding for Jazmin Stamper to attend the Academy, and announced an October 19 Chili/BINGO fundraiser to help pay for these additions.
By From the Left Seat, with Ray Ballantyne
The board has identified some worthy scholarship recipients and has decided to step beyond our two current scholarships and add a third. We also decided to spend our YE credits to fund Nathan Nelson to go to the EAA Air Academy in Oshkosh, WI this summer. We offered funding for Jazmin Stamper to attend this Academy also. We then announced a Chili/BINGO fundraiser for October 19 at KCLM at 16 00 to help fund these bold additions. As an outreach, Richard Howell is working to introduce aviation to local youth through the Boys and Girls Club and our Build and Fly program. Contact Richard to learn more.
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October 2024 Our Scholarship Recipient Henry Brown Henry Brown In an interview with Skip Brown, scholarship recipient Henry Brown described how the Port Townsend Aero Museum's youth program, which he joined at 13, taught him about airplanes and discipline and gave him free flight training. A professional pilot major in his third year at Central Washington University, he hopes to become an aerial firefighter after building hours as a flight instructor.
By online interview conducted by Skip Brown
The online interview with Henry was in a question/answer format, conducted by Skip Brown.
YOUR FLYING EXPERIENCE:
How old were you when you became interested in airplanes?
Although the idea of aviation has always intrigued me, my interest sparked at 13 years old when I got accepted into the Port Townsend Aero Museum’s youth volunteer program. Through the youth program, I was requested to volunteer one day per week. From the retail business of running an aero museum to assisting with complicated aircraft restoration projects, I learned ample knowledge about airplanes and, above all, discipline at a young age. As a bonus, I was granted free flight training through volunteer flight instructors in the program.
Where was your first ride in a plane & who was the pilot?
My first plane ride was in a 1967 Cessna 172 at Jefferson County Airport in Port Townsend, WA. Carl Nepute, a volunteer flight instructor at the Port Townsend Aero Museum, was my instructor.
What is your goal when you become a pilot?
My goal as a pilot is to become an aerial firefighter. Using my skills to combat wildfires and protect communities inspires me. Because this career requires high hours and lots of experience, I plan to first instruct once I get my CFI. This will allow me to build hours while gaining a deeper understanding of aviation principles and techniques. Additionally, I have always desired to be involved in backcountry aviation, and I hope someday to be given the opportunity to fly in the backcountry, which would give me extensive low-level, mountain flying experience.
YOUR BACKGROUND:
Where did you grow up? Different places you have lived
I grew up on Vashon Island, Washington, and moved to Ellensburg, Washington, where I currently reside while attending Central Washington University.
How long have you lived in this area?
I lived on Vashon for 18 years and just started my third year in Ellensburg.
When you were growing up, what did you think you would be?
Growing up, I often imagined myself exploring a variety of careers, from being an astronaut to a racecar driver. While I can’t pinpoint a single ambition from my childhood, my love for adventure and the outdoors always played a big role in shaping my aspirations.
What school are you enrolled in? What is your major?
I am currently enrolled at Central Washington University, where I am entering my third year as a professional pilot major. Because I entered with my private pilot certificate, I was able to get ahead in the program, but due to DPE shortages, I have been waiting on a commercial check ride for the past three months, and expect to wait another one to two months before getting a ride.
YOUR INTERESTS:
Besides airplanes & flying, what are your favorite things to do?
Besides my passion for airplanes and flying, I also love spending time outdoors. Dirt biking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and surfing are just a few of my favorite things to do while I’m not studying or flying.
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October 2024 Our Scholarship Recipient Noah Kaser Noah Kaser In an interview with Skip Brown, scholarship recipient Noah Kaser described his first airplane ride, in the B-17 "Nine-O-Nine" in 2018, and earning his pilot's license on July 4, 2023, through the Port Townsend Aero Museum's flying program. He is finishing an associate degree and plans to transfer to the University of Washington and study aeronautical engineering.
By online interview conducted by Skip Brown
The online interview with Noah was in a question/answer format, conducted by Skip Brown.
YOUR FLYING EXPERIENCE:
How old were you when you became interested in airplanes?
I’ve been interested in planes since I was very little. I was always fascinated by them, and I would check out magazines and movies from the library that featured them. Growing up, we had a large field behind our house and sometimes paragliders would land there, which was a huge delight for me. My siblings and I would run out and help them pack up.
Where was your first ride in a plane & who was the pilot?
My first ride in a plane was in 2018. I was volunteering with my neighbor for a couple of stops in the Collings Foundation’s Wings that were close enough to drive to. They were incredibly generous people and towards the end of my time volunteering, they allowed us to ride in the B-17G “Nine-O-Nine.” It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life and has stuck with me. The pilot was Mac McCauley. He was an incredible person to know, and I am glad I was able to meet him during my time volunteering with the Collings Foundation. He is, unfortunately, no longer with us following a crash of the “Nine-O-Nine” in 2019.
What is your goal when you become a pilot?
Thanks entirely to the wonderful flying program at the Port Townsend Aero Museum, and more help than I can list from the pilots at the Jefferson County airport, I was able to get my pilot’s license on the 4th of July in 2023. Since then, I have had to take a hiatus from flying to focus on my studies. But I intend to join the flying club once I transfer to UW and begin flying again. My longer-term goal is currently to get my instrument rating and tail-wheel endorsement once I am able to fly again.
YOUR BACKGROUND:
Where did you grow up? Different places you have lived
I grew up all over the West Coast, but mostly in Washington. I was raised and lived in Issaquah, Washington for the first part of my life. We lived against the mountains, far away from the nearest town. From there I spent a few years traveling up and down Oregon and California before eventually settling in Port Townsend. I lived there until 2023 when I began staying in Seattle for college.
How long have you lived in this area?
I’ve lived in Washington for almost all my life, and I’ve lived in Port Townsend for over 10 years.
When you were growing up, what did you think you would be?
Until I joined the Port Townsend Aero Museum and read a book called “Ed Heinemann: Combat Aircraft Designer,” I had no idea what I was going to be. I thought maybe I could get my captain’s license and work in shipping, or possibly I could join the Peace Corps.
What is your major in college?
I am currently in college, and I am currently getting an Associate of Science. But this is just a stepping stone, and I hope to get a degree in aeronautical engineering once I transfer to my final school.
What school are you enrolled in?
I only have a few quarters left before I get my associate degree and begin work on transferring to the University of Washington in Seattle.
YOUR INTERESTS:
Besides airplanes & flying, what are your favorite things to do?
Besides airplanes, I love reading books and designing things in CAD software. Whenever I have time, I look through the local used bookstores to see what interesting books I can find. Recently I have also started visiting a local gym to do indoor rock climbing with my brother. It’s relaxing and a great way to get some exercise since most of my time is spent studying or on homework.
Do you have any unusual, humorous, harrowing, or exciting experiences you can share with our members?
An unusual and exciting experience I had was being able to fly in the Student Prince. The Student Prince is a biplane built in the 1930s by students. Only 3 existed and there is only one registered today. It is owned by Summer Martell, who also conducted my check ride. It was my first time in an open cockpit, and it made for a great view when she took me on a short ride up over Port Townsend. It was a very interesting and somewhat harrowing experience for me. I was not used to feeling like there was nothing holding me in the plane, and I plan on sticking with a closed cockpit for the foreseeable future.
What is something most of your friends/family don’t know about you that you’re willing to share?
I had an immense fear of heights that lasted into my flight training. It made for some interesting early flights but it went away as I got more comfortable flying.
Photo captions as printed: “Noah received his PPL July 4, 2023”
- August 2024 From the Left Seat: Gunner Rogers and Aiden Lara Earn Their Wings Gunner Rogers, Aiden Lara
Gunner Rogers and Aiden Lara both earned their Private Pilot Licenses, and President Ray Ballantyne congratulated them. Gunner is the chapter's first Ray Foundation scholarship recipient.
By From the Left Seat (Ray Ballantyne), per "In This Issue"
I’m so excited about our young pilots getting their wings. Gunner Rogers and Aiden Lara have both received their Private Pilots License. Congratulations to both of you and we hope to be an encouragement for your continued success. Gunner is our first Ray Foundation scholarship recipient.
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August 2024 Two Young Chapter members gain their PPL! Gunner Rogers, Aiden Lara Two young chapter members passed their private pilot checkrides. Gunner Rogers, an EAA Ray Scholarship recipient, received a shirt from the Ray Foundation, and Aiden Lara trained with instructor Cenk Ozar at Sequim Valley Airport.
By none
Gunnar Rogers, an EAA Rays Scholarship recipient, passed his check ride and received a shirt from the Ray Foundation.
Aidan Lara, passed his checkride recently, having received instruction from Cenk Ozar at Sequim Valley Airport. More on Aidan’s story in next newsletter.
Photo captions as printed: “Gunnar Rogers – an EAA Rays Scholarship recipient, passed his check ride and received a shirt from the Ray Foundation.”; “Aidan Lara– passed his checkride recently, having received instruction from Cenk Ozar at Sequim Valley Airport. More on Aidan’s story in next newsletter.”; “Sequim Gazette Photo by Emily Matthiessen Aidan Lara, left, is one of Cenk Özer’s current students at the Anatolian Eagle Flight Academy, operated out of Sequim Valley Airport. Lara is studying for a private pilot’s license, an intense course of study that culminates in an oral exam and a flight exam which each take about three hours. ”; ” Özer said, ”
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- July 2024 From the Left Seat: Our Scholars and Young Pilots Madeline Patterson, Daniel Weaver, Gunner Rogers, Aiden Lara
President Ray Ballantyne pointed to the chapter's young pilots as signs of a brighter future. Madeline Patterson graduated with help from the scholarship program and plans to instruct locally before flying for the Coast Guard, and Daniel Weaver was working at Rite Brothers for the summer. Ray scholarship recipient Gunner Rogers had his Private Pilot checkride scheduled, with Aiden Lara right behind him.
By From the Left Seat (Ray Ballantyne), per "In This Issue"
We have all heard that EAA is aging, and we’re endangered of going extinct. But I’m seeing things somewhat differently. At our last Gathering, Madeline Patterson reported that with the help of our scholarship program she has graduated with a degree from North Dakota University after obtaining all of her ratings (except ATP). She’s planning to flight instruct in the local area prior to going into the Coast Guard as a pilot. Daniel Weaver, another scholarship recipient, is working this summer at Rite Brothers.
Gunner Rogers, our Ray scholarship recipient, has scheduled his Private Pilot check ride before the end of the month, and Aiden Lara is right behind him. Both Gunner and Aiden have energized their families: cousins, moms, dads, and even grandparents that have either taken a flight or plan to soon.
We have our eyes on a couple of other Young Eagles who are interested in joining our chapter. So, I think the future of our chapter is looking brighter!
- June 2024 From the Left Seat: Young Pilot Candidates Moving Toward Private Certificates Gunner Rogers, Aiden Lara
President Ray Ballantyne reported that Gunner Rogers passed his written exam and Aiden Lara was getting ready for his checkride, both moving toward their private pilot certificates. David Miller was seeking grant funding of up to $4,000 for more scholarships, and Gunner helped present at the chapter's June 2 Flying Start program for seven prospective pilots.
By FROM THE LEFT SEAT, RAY BALLANTYNE (column heading as printed)
I’m excited to report that our young pilot candidates are moving swiftly toward their private certification. Gunner Rogers recently passed his written exam, and Aiden Lara is getting ready to take his check ride. Way to go!
David Miller has been working to secure grant funding for additional scholarships. We recently received a request for more information and we’re hopeful that we may be able to secure up to $4000.
[…]
We had a very successful Flying Start program on June 2 when seven prospective pilots received a great presentation from Dave Woodcock, Dava McNutt, and Gunner Rogers. We are still needing to provide two Eagle flights before everyone has experienced their flight.
- May 2024 Getting to Know Gunner Rogers: Ray Scholarship Recipient Gunner Rogers
Gunner Rogers, the chapter's Ray Scholarship recipient, describes how a Piper Cub flight at age eight made him fall in love with flying. Through Young Eagles he met Ray and began flight lessons, and he writes about his first solo and a solo cross-country over his hometown of Forks. He hopes to become a commercial pilot.
By none (first-person piece by Gunner Rogers)
Ever since I can remember I have been intrigued by the wonderful world of aviation. I went on my first flight when I was less than a year old. Every year my family and I would fly to go visit our family and the more I flew the more I wanted to know about flying. When I was six years old I began asking the pilots about how the plane flew, and I would get frustrated when they didn’t want to explain to a six year old the aerodynamics of the plane. This caused me to have a longing to find out more on my own. When I was eight years old I got to fly a plane for the first time. My grandparents had a friend who had a Piper Cub, and he took me up in it and then gave me the controls to fly around. That was when I truly fell in love with flying, when I got to experience the effortlessness and elegance of soaring through the sky, and getting to see all the wonderful and amazing sights. After this day I began looking for any and every opportunity to be able to fly again. That was when I found Young Eagles and where I got to meet Ray. Ray along with Young Eagles helped me to start my aviation journey by beginning flight lessons. Throughout my lessons I have been able to experience all the amazing things every pilot goes through. When I started flying, everyone said how great that first solo would feel. All the nervousness, anxiousness turned to pure happiness when I felt the wheels leap off the runway for the first time with no one else with me. From that point on I have only been able to make more memories such as my first solo cross country where I was able to fly over my home town of Forks. As I chase my dream of becoming a commercial pilot I look forward to the numerous adventures and memories ahead of me.
- April 2024 From the Left Seat: Gunner's Ray Scholarship Approved Gunner Rogers, Madeline Patterson
President Ray Ballantyne pointed to two young people as examples of the chapter's impact. Madeline Patterson, who received financial help from the chapter, was about to graduate from the University of North Dakota with the goal of flying Coast Guard aircraft. Gunner Rogers, the chapter's first Ray Foundation scholarship candidate, had his application approved for $6,600 and was already flying cross-country solo.
By FROM THE LEFT SEAT, RAY BALLANTYNE (column heading as printed)
EAA430 is a strong and vibrant chapter providing youth centered, educational and aviation activities. We have made a huge impact in young lives. Recent examples of this include Madeline Patterson, who received financial help from us, and will soon graduate the University of North Dakota and realize her goal of flying Coast Guard aircraft. Gunner Rogers, about to graduate Forks High School, came to us at two Young Eagle events last year and decided he was going to be an airline captain. Scholarship chairman David Miller applied for the chapter and was approved to administer the Ray foundation scholarship. As our first candidate, Gunner’s application was approved this month to the tune of $6600! He is already flying cross-country by himself!
- March 2024 From the Left Seat: Gunner Rogers Selected as Our First Ray Scholar Gunner Rogers
The chapter was approved to administer a Ray Foundation Scholarship, which pays up to $10,000 toward a Private Pilot License, and selected Gunner Rogers as its first candidate. Gunner, a high school senior in Forks who came to aviation through the chapter's Young Eagles program, wants to be an airline captain and has already soloed.
By FROM THE LEFT SEAT, RAY BALLANTYNE (column heading as printed; signed Ray)
We received the great news that our chapter has been approved to administer a Ray Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship pays up to $10,000 for flight training to earn the Private Pilot License. We have selected Gunner Rogers as our first candidate. He came to know aviation through our Young Eagle program. He’s a high school senior in Forks and wants to be an airline captain. He has begun flight training and has already soloed. He’s been attending the chapter FAA written discussion group with other students from our last year’s Flying Start program.
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August 2023 Update on Daniel Weaver: Emailed to Dave Miller Daniel Weaver Daniel Weaver wrote to Dave Miller that his University of Washington Design Build Fly team placed 5th out of 97 teams in Tucson, and that he graduated on June 10 with a BS in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, thanks in part to the chapter scholarship. He then started an accelerated program at ATP Flight School working toward instrument, commercial and instructor ratings, and passed the instrument written exam with 100%.
By Dave Miller (per "In This Issue": "Update on Daniel Weaver – Dave Miller"); email signed Daniel
Hi Dave,
How have you been? I saw the cub flying around recently and wanted to stop by to say hi but I was on my way to a dentist appointment so I didn’t have the time.
Sorry for going MIA, the last few months have been pretty busy for me! Here is a recap of what I have been up to lately:
In April the Design Build Fly team that I was part of at UW drove down to Tucson with our plane and placed 5th out of 97 teams. We got beat by a German team, an Austrian team, Embry-Riddle and Virginia Tech (Virginia Tech beat us 494.79 points to 494.55 points so we almost scraped out a fourth place finish). I attached some photos of the team, the plane and the box the plane had to fit in below. There is also a 30 minute recap video of the competition if you are interested in seeing more.
Episode 7: Fly-off Showdown | Design Build Fly 22-23 Season | DBF UW | AIAA DBF 2023 (youtube.com)
My main focus in May and June was wrapping up my capstone project for my major which involved designing a new freighter concept aircraft for Boeing from the ground up and doing a lot of wind tunnel tests (more photos below).
Then on June 10th I graduated, so I now hold a BS in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (thanks in part to the scholarship from the EAA chapter) which wrapped up my time as a UW student.
After graduation I took a month off to relax at home and then on July 10th I started an accelerated flight training program at ATP Flight School at Paine. Right now I am working towards my instrument rating and by the end of the program I will have an instrument rating, commercial single and multi and CFI, CFII and MEI (assuming all goes according to plan). I am really enjoying the instrument training. The planes I am flying are all G1000 equipped which at times can be overwhelming to someone who is used to a 6-pack, but it has a lot of cool features that are really useful for IFR (as long as you don’t get too distracted by them and forget to fly the airplane).
I just took the instrument written today and passed with 100% which I was pleasantly surprised by.
I’d love to stop by another EAA meeting sometime and update people so they know their scholarship money has been put to good use!
That’s about it from me.
Thanks for all your support!
Daniel
P.S. Did you and Dave Woodcock end up taking delivery of the Legend Cub?
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March 2023 Update from Madeline, Scholarship Recipient Madeline Patterson Madeline Patterson told Dave Miller she passed her Commercial single-engine checkride at the University of North Dakota. She planned to start multi-engine training after spring break, work on her flight instructor certificate over the summer, and see members at Oshkosh.
By none (note to Dave Miller from Madeline Patterson; unsigned as printed)
Good morning Dave!
I just wanted to share an update with my training. Last Tuesday I passed my Commercial SEL Checkride. I should be issued my temporary certificate soon! (UND operates differently than the real world). I start on my Multi-Engine training after Spring Break (March 20) and the goal is to get my Mutli-Engine Commercial by mid-May. I won’t be returning to Washington for more than a few days this summer as I will be pursuing my CFI. Seems crazy that is up so soon!
While the picture (…) seems nice and warm, winter definitely hasn’t broken yet here as we’re still receiving snow and negative temperatures some days. Send us some good weather!
My plan is to attend Oshkosh this summer however, so hopefully I will be able to see some of you there.
Photo captions as printed: “picture”
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February 2022 Update from Scholarship Recipient Madeline Patterson Madeline Patterson Madeline Patterson reported that she passed her instrument checkride at the University of North Dakota, where she flies Piper Archers with G1000 glass cockpits. She wrote about UND's new focus on mental health in aviation, and said she had added a second major in Spanish.
By none (letter signed Madeline)
Fall 2021 Recap
Hello EAA 430!
I am sorry it has taken me so long to send an update! I was waiting until I had some good news. I finished my Instrument Rating and in what could be anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months, UND will process my records and I will get my Instrument Rated License. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures from the check ride because the real feel was around -35 F so we didn’t want to spend any extra time outside. I will be honest; it didn’t go as well as I had hoped but I passed and that’s what matters. It’s just hard knowing I could have done better.
I have loved instrument flying in the Piper Archers with the G1000. We also use Foreflight to hold all of our approach plates, and it is such a smooth system. If any of you haven’t used this combination before, you can plan and calculate performance through Foreflight, then sync your iPad through Bluetooth to the G1000 panel and send your flight plan directly to it so the actual aircraft has the flight plan you created.
I think since I have had over 100 hours in steam gauges without GPS, I can now revel in the technology that the glass cockpit provides.
Mid-October, on a sadder note, we had an aviation student flying solo intentionally fly his aircraft into the ground to commit suicide. There was a scary period of time where an email had gone out to the college, informing us that there was a fatality accident, but we didn’t know that it was intentional. We all checked in with each other, trying to figure out if it was one of our friends. After his name and the cause of the incident was released, we all had to deal with our emotions surrounding the incident. Flight Operations was halted for two days and solo flight was suspended for a week while we sorted through our sadness, anger, and confusion. The details of everything that followed the incident can be found online, but UND responded well to the incident, and launched an initiative to figure out how we can best approach mental health in aviation, nationally as well as within our school.
This semester I happily declared by second major- I will be getting a BA in Spanish, as well as my BS in Commercial Aviation. I already had some credits from high school and I love language learning so I am excited for the next couple years. I hope to do a study abroad this upcoming summer, but it all depends on whether or not I need to do some flying this summer.
I really appreciate all of the support from the chapter and I wish I could attend more meetings but I keep myself pretty busy! I wish you all the best and hopefully I will able to fly with you all soon.
Blue skies, tailwinds, and positive temperatures, Madeline
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February 2022 Update from Scholarship Recipient Daniel Weaver Daniel Weaver Daniel Weaver wrote about his junior year in Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Washington, including wind tunnel labs in a building built in 1918 for the Boeing Airplane Company. He serves as backup pilot for the Design, Build, Fly club, which was building a remote control aircraft to compete in Wichita in April. Dave Miller added that Daniel's grades were fantastic and that he thanks the chapter for its support.
By none (signed "Thanks for reading, Daniel"), followed by an Editor's Note quoting Dave Miller
I have been fully enjoying the return to in-person classes at UW. The junior year curriculum for Aeronautics and Astronautics is heavily lab based, and it has been really nice to be able to carry out the experiments in person rather than trying to write reports off of data collected by other people. One of the highlights of this quarter has been getting to perform wind tunnel tests on various bodies.
The picture is from a recent lab where we measured the pressure distribution on an airfoil (NACA 0016) in the wind tunnel. The wind tunnel we have been using has some historical significance because it is located in a building which was constructed in 1918 to house a wind tunnel for the then brand new Boeing Airplane Company.
Another benefit of being back in person is that I have been able to be much more involved in clubs this year. One of the clubs that I am a member of is Design, Build, Fly, which, as its name suggests, is an engineering club where the team competes with other schools to design, build and fly a remote control aircraft to meet a certain set of mission requirements laid out by the parent organization AIAA. This year the mission is to carry a simulated vaccine shipment. Teams score higher by completing more laps and carrying more syringes at the competition. The competition will take place in Wichita in April. This will be the first year that the competition is held on site since I became a student at UW and I am lucky enough to have been selected as one of the team members who will get to attend the competition in person.
My R/C aviation roots have come in handy this year. The current “chief pilot” for the club is a senior this year and so I have been serving as the “backup pilot” with the intent of becoming the “chief pilot” next year after he graduates. The picture I included shows me and two of my teammates at a recent test flight of our aerodynamic prototype. The aerodynamic prototype is a foam and tape version of our competition plane that allows us to evaluate our aerodynamic perfomance without risking the expensive components that go into our competition aircraft.
To round up this update here are some specifications for our airplane:
- Cockpit Crew: 0
- Wingspan: 8ft
- Wing area: 7ft2
- Length: 6ft
- Takeoff distance: 25ft
- Empty weight: 10lb
- Powerplant: 2 x T-Motor AT4130 2500W (3.35hp)
Thanks for reading, Daniel
Editor’s Note: Our Scholarship Director, Dave Miller, wrote the following regarding Daniel in January:
“Received a note and transcript from Dan and he is doing great, fantastic grades. Other than lab work, his course work is still virtual but he’s enjoying wind tunnel experiments. He thanks the Chapter for our support.”
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December 2021 Message from Jacob Kirschbaum Jacob Kirschbaum Jacob Kirschbaum wrote that, with help from the chapter scholarship, he earned his Commercial, Multi, Instrument, CFI and CFII certificates and ratings at the University of North Dakota, where he would graduate on December 17. Keeping a promise from his application letter, he spent May through July 2021 instructing full time at the Port Townsend Aero Museum, and one of his students later passed a private pilot checkride. He planned to keep instructing while building time toward his ATP.
By letter signed Jacob Kirschbaum
Hello members of Chapter 430,
For the past three and a half years I have been working on my aviation degree at the University of North Dakota. I have earned my Commercial, Multi, Instrument, CFI, and CFII certificates/ratings with help from your scholarship. I am now working at UND as a CFI while finishing up my degree. I will be graduating from UND on December 17th.
I want to thank all of you for your donations and support over the past few years. In my initial application letter to the EAA chapter I said: “I plan to contribute to the future of aviation by volunteering as an instructor at the [Port Townsend Aero] museum and helping to pass on a love of aviation to another generation of pilots. I don’t think anything else could be as fulfilling as helping kids in the same position as I was to realize that aviation is not out of reach, and to help them find their true passion.”
I am happy to report back that I spent May through July of 2021 working full time at the museum as a CFI. I was able to fly with the kids giving dual instruction and also help Mike and Kevin in the shop. As you will likely see in the next newsletter from PTAM, one of the students I worked with successfully passed his private check ride in October a few months after I had returned to school. With your help I was able to begin what I hope will be many years of helping out at the museum working to mentor and teach the next generation of pilots.
That brings us to my plans for the future. As of right now, I am planning to stay at UND in the spring working as a CFI. While UND is a great school, and I have definitely received a great education here, I am hoping to find a job elsewhere to finish up building time for my ATP. I think the value of the extra experience I could gain flying in a new environment is too valuable to pass up. I do not have anywhere in particular picked out yet, but with the opportunities currently available in the industry, I have been keeping my eyes open.
I will certainly be keeping in touch with you all and updating you as I progress through my career. Thank you again for all of the help you have given me!
Jacob Kirschbaum
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August 2021 August Aviation Letter from Madeline Patterson Madeline Patterson In a letter to the chapter, Madeline Patterson described a flight to Bellingham that added 1.9 hours of pilot-in-command cross-country time, and a planned flight in Maine that weather canceled. She also explained an FAA finding that threatened the University of North Dakota's authority to give its own checkrides, and the school's response, which it estimates will cost Commercial Aviation students about $4,000 more.
By none (letter by Madeline Patterson, dated August 03, 2021; closes without a signature)
August 03, 2021
Greetings aviation friends,
As July winds to a close and we all enter August, my favorite month of the year, it seems crazy how quickly the year has passed. We are already in the 8th month of 2021!
The last month I have been out of Sequim every weekend. We started July by going to Ross Lake Resort on our annual trip, then spent the week after that in the New England area for a family reunion. It was my plan to go flying while I was in Maine, and I had set up a checkout flight with an FBO to go flying in a C172. I wanted to explore this new area by air, as well as impress my more distant relatives with the sheer awesomeness of having a pilot’s license.
The weather had different plans.
Morning fog rolled in midday followed closely by fast-moving thunderstorms. On top of that, the FBO didn’t have the flexibility to accommodate a change in schedule. It was definitely disappointing not to have that opportunity this time, but I hope that in two years, at our next family reunion, we can work something out.
I have been trying to convince my parents that the solution to all our problems would be to buy a plane… but that hasn’t worked yet. I will keep you all updated.
I just recently was able to take my mother and her friend up to Bellingham to visit my sister, as she lives up there. It was a lovely flight, although the smoke from Blyn obstructed our views of any mountains. I was also able to get 1.9 hours of PIC/XC time so that was great! We also flew right over Whidbey NAS and got to share the sky with some F-18s. I currently rent out of Rite Brothers and rotate between their 172s.
On the UND front, Aerospace students got a major update just a few days ago. I will try and keep this brief and clear, but the FAA is involved so no promises. The FAA informed UND that our Instrument/Commercial/Multi-Engine TCO (Training Course Outline, essentially the curriculum) was not up to standards and they were going to revoke our self-examining authority. That would mean that UND could no longer do our own checkrides, and they would have to be done by DPEs. Grand Forks ND has only one DPE. UND Aerospace has about 1,000 flight students.
Obviously this poses a serious issue for UND, so they applied for a one-year term to get their TCOs in compliance with the FAA standards in order to retain that self-examination authority. Under the new training curriculums, Instrument students will be able to get their instrument ratings once they complete their training, which was previously disallowed, but UND estimates that it will cost Commercial Aviation students about $4,000 more.
I am lucky enough that I am in a flight course where my training shouldn’t be too upended by this change, but I feel for students who are in their multi-engine training and now face the time constraints of the FAA’s mandates.
To round out this letter, I have some statistics straight from UND. This last year, UND broke their record for “hours flow safely” and they published some statistics to go along with that:
- 1,364,326 gallons of fuel pumped by UND Aero Flight Line
- 25,289 maintenance man hours
- 400+ airport staff
- 1,400 flight students
- 245 flight instructors
- 126,772 hours flown safely
Clear skies and tailwinds to you all.
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June 2021 Daniel Weaver Fueling a V22 Osprey Daniel Weaver A photo in the June 2021 newsletter shows Daniel Weaver, the chapter's scholarship recipient, fueling a V22 Osprey at KCLM. The caption is the only text with the photo.
By none
Daniel Weaver, our scholarship recipient, fueling V22 Osprey at KCLM
Photo captions as printed: “Daniel Weaver, our scholarship recipient, fueling V22 Osprey at KCLM”
- March 2021 Chapter 430 Scholarship Program Madeline Patterson, Daniel Weaver
Scholarship Chair Dave Miller explained that the chapter supports young aviators because the future of general aviation depends on them, and introduced two new candidates: Membership Chair Madeline Patterson, a University of North Dakota freshman, and Daniel Weaver, a University of Washington aeronautical engineering student who works the line at Rite Brothers to pay for flying. The board wants to give each $1,500 a year for their last three years of college, alongside current recipient Jacob Kirschbaum. One member's $1,500 gift came with a challenge for the rest of the membership to match it.
By By Dave Miller (signed David Miller, Scholarship Chair)
The future of general aviation, especially private flying just for the love of flying, is dependent upon attracting young people. For this reason, our Chapter supports young men and women with an aviation scholarship. As Scholarship Chair, I’ve been successful in identifying candidates from the Port Townsend Aero Museum where high school age students dedicate one full day a week to supporting the museum’s work. By working, they learn valuable work ethics, in addition to learning aircraft maintenance and restoration. In return for their work, they learn to fly in the aircraft they’ve maintained and restored. Our current scholarship recipient from the museum is Jacob Kirschbaum who has one and a half years to go in the University of North Dakota’s aviation program.
Recently two additional young adults, not associated with the museum, have come to the Board’s attention. The first is Madeline Patterson who is familiar to anyone who attended past EAA 430 Chapter meetings because she is our Membership Chair. She is continuing to fill that position even while attending the University of North Dakota in her freshman year. The second is Daniel Weaver who came to my attention while learning to fly at Rite Brothers during his senior year of high school. Daniel earned his private certificate and is now a full-time student at the University of Washington studying aeronautical engineering. But what convinced me of his commitment to flying is that, while attending the UW (virtually at the moment), he also works as a line person at Rite Brothers to pay for more flying lessons. To top it off, as a young man of thirteen, he included the numbers 747 in his email address and yes, those numbers refer to a Boeing model. He likes to think big.
Bottom line is the Board would like to extend scholarships to both Madeline and Daniel for the last three years of their college education. Our scholarships are $1,500 per year and are sent to the registrar’s office for tuition and fees. This in turn frees up funds for flying lessons and advanced certificates.
The ongoing bill comes to $3,000 per year for both. One member has made a contribution of $1,500 and a challenge to the remaining membership of Chapter 430 to match or exceed that $1,500. With 100 members I think we can meet that challenge.
David Miller, Scholarship Chair
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March 2021 EAA Scholarship Recipient Madeline Patterson Madeline Patterson In her application letter, Madeline Patterson wrote that the aviation community is what she values most and that she hopes to become a Coast Guard aviator after graduating from the University of North Dakota in 2024. The chapter chose her as a scholarship recipient based on the letter and on earning her private pilot certificate before enrolling. She will receive $1,500 per year for tuition through graduation.
By letter signed Madeline Patterson, followed by an editor's note
Greetings EAA Chapter 430 Scholarship Board,
I appreciate the consideration for this chapter’s aviation training scholarship. While I first caught the aviation bug through the love I have for flying and the freedom it provides, I have found that the true value to being in aviation is that of the community. The aviation world builds and supports itself by mentoring students and sharing resources and experiences, and I have always been grateful for the people who have helped me along my path to where I am today, learning at a top aviation university and getting to spend every day immersed in the aerospace world.
After my graduation from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelors of Aeronautical Sciences with a Major in Commercial Aviation in Spring 2024, I intend to apply to Officer Candidate School for the United States Coast Guard. If I were to receive a guaranteed flight billet, I would attend OCS in New London, Connecticut and become a Coast Guard aviator and fly whatever mission I am assigned, be it Search and Rescue in a HH-65 Dolphin or Support the International Ice Patrol in the Arctic Circle in a C-130J Super Hercules. This career path would be my primary choice, because I grew up in the Emergency Services environment, my ideal day-to-day life would include a variety of operations and missions, and it is part of my fundamental ideals to live life in service of others.
Other careers that I am considering while I am still in school includes commercial aviation for a Part 121 carrier or flying for an air ambulance service. At the University of North Dakota, the Aviation College hosts career fairs multiple times a year and offers career counseling and assistance. This is why I do not have a concrete 10-year plan: I believe it is important to remain open to different opportunities that I may find and mentors I may meet over the next three years while I am a student at UND.
No matter the country, the career, the operation, or the employer, I am a pilot, and I will be flying for a living.
Thank you again for your consideration, Madeline Patterson
Madeline, our EAA 430 membership chairperson, was chosen as a scholarship recipient based on her letter (see above) and her accomplishments to become a private pilot prior to her enrollment in the North Dakota University School of Aerospace Sciences. She is presently in her first year of school, having completed a year at Peninsula College in Port Angeles. On the following page is a letter we received from her thanking the chapter for the scholarship. She will receive $1500 per year for her tuition through her graduation.
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- March 2021 Thank you letter from Madeline Madeline Patterson
Madeline Patterson thanked the chapter for her scholarship in a handwritten letter, naming Scholarship Chairman Dave Miller and members Ken and Skip. She also thanked the membership for the raffles and auctions that support the fund, and promised to keep everyone updated on her flying.
By handwritten letter signed Madeline Patterson
EAA 430,
I hope you all are are well, and I wanted to take the opportunity to thank the chapter for the scholarship you have awarded me. I espicially want to thank Dave Miller, the Scholarship Chairman, for reaching out to me about this opportunity. I also want to thank Ken and Skip, for making me feel so welcome in the Chapter, and for convincing me to join the Board of Directors. And last but not least, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the membership body of the chapter. Every 50/50 raffle and auction that has supported the fund has come through your hard work. Recieving this scholarship means that much more to me because I know all of you amazing aviators are behind me. I will keep all of you updated with my aviation adventures and hopefully I will be able to see all of you during the summers and winters when flee desperately back to the ocean and mountains of the Peninsula.
Best Regards and Fly Safe, Madeline Patterson
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March 2021 Scholarship Recipient Daniel Weaver Daniel Weaver Daniel Weaver was chosen as a scholarship recipient based on this letter and his hard work, and will receive $1,500 per year for tuition at the University of Washington, where he studies aeronautical engineering. He traces his path to an EAA 430 Young Eagles flight on his 13th birthday, followed by RC flying, the Aviation Explorer Scouts and a West Sound Pilot's Association scholarship toward his private pilot license. He planned to put the chapter scholarship toward his instrument training.
By editor's note, then letter signed Daniel Weaver
Daniel Weaver was chosen as a scholarship recipient based on his letter below and his motivation and hard work to achieve his goals. He will receive $1500 per year for his tuition at UW where he is finishing his first year in Aeronautical Engineering.
I am honored to have been invited to apply for this scholarship. I caught the flying bug at a very young age thanks to a family friend who introduced me to the world of RC aviation. At age ten, with the help of our friend, I built my first RC airplane out of foam-board. I spent weeks gluing together the wings, installing the servos and making sure it had the perfect paint job. Sadly, my piloting skills were not quite yet up to the task and the plane crashed on its maiden flight. Some may have been discouraged, but I was elated. The plane could be fixed, and I had tasted flight for the first time. A few years later as a present for my 13th birthday, my aunt drove me to a Young Eagles rally hosted by EAA 430 at W28. I had flown on the airlines many times before, but nothing can compare to the pure joy of taking to the skies in the cockpit of a small airplane for the first time. As soon as I took the controls in that little red and white RV, I knew that one day I was going to be a pilot. One of the perks of the Young Eagles flight was a free subscription to Sporty’s Private Pilot Ground School, which I started vigorously watching as soon as I got home. Six years of watching Sporty’s really came in handy when I took the written test for my PPL. As a 14 year old, the only economically viable way to stay in contact with the aviation community was flying RC model airplanes. I was able to get a reduced price youth membership with Olympic R/C Modelers and started going to the flying field almost every Saturday. At ORCM I met a lot of great mentors, such as 430’s very own Al Gross, who gave me the support I needed to continue to grow as an aviator and as a person. I flew regularly at the flying field until my Junior year of high school rolled around and my schedule got too busy for me to indulge in flying. My Senior year of high school I was able to get back into aviation by joining the Aviation Explorer Scouts where I got the opportunity to take my very first flying lesson and meet speakers from different sectors of the aviation industry. Through the Aviation Scouts I was referred to a scholarship offered by the West Sound Pilot’s Association which offered to pay half of the cost of my PPL. I was very fortunate to receive the scholarship and I started flight training at Rite Bros. Aviation the summer of my Senior year. Through the connections I made through flight training I was generously offered a summer job as a lineman at Rite Bros. which helped me to pay for my half of the flight training expenses. I got my PPL in the fall of 2019 in the midst of transitioning to attending classes at the University of Washington where I am currently studying Aeronautical Engineering. When COVID-19 hit last spring and I got sent home from college, I was happy to find my old job at the airport job still waiting for me. For the last few months I have been juggling taking online classes, working at the airport, and flying when my pocketbook and schedule allow in order to build time and keep my skills sharp. My ultimate goal is to one day become a pilot for one of the major U.S. airlines. I still don’t know how I’m going to build the flight time required for the airlines but I trust that when the time comes I will find a job that suits me. I do know however, that the next step in my aviation journey is for me to get my instrument rating. I was already debating going for the rating sooner rather than later, but thanks to COVID, I am at home with some free time so I have decided that I am going to knock my instrument rating out before I go back to school in September. If I am lucky enough to receive the scholarship from EAA 430, the money will go towards helping me pay for my instrument training this summer.
Thank you for all you do to foster the next generation of aviators, Daniel Weaver
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March 2021 Thank you letter from Daniel Daniel Weaver In a note to Dave Miller, Daniel Weaver thanked him for the easy application process and said he would like to meet more chapter members and learn from their experience. He also shared a photo of himself at 13 with John Meyers after his first Young Eagles flight in Sequim, hoping to thank him.
By letter from Daniel Weaver to Dave Miller (unsigned as printed)
Hey Dave,
Thank you again for making this application process so easy. I’m humbled by all the praise. I’d love to sit down and talk about aviation careers with you sometime. I’m sure you have lots of fascinating stories. If I’m lucky, maybe I could even talk you into taking me up in one of those yellow birds of yours! I would love to get to know some of the other EAA 430 club members as well. The knowledge that can only be gained from the experiences that all of you club members have had is almost certainly more valuable than any scholarship I could hope to receive.
On a different note, I found a picture of 13-year-old me and John Meyers after my first Young Eagles flight in Sequim. I’m not sure if he is still an active club member, but if he is I’d love to thank him for being part of that first flight experience. (Of course I’d like to thank all the people on the ground who make it possible as well, but I don’t have pictures of them).
Photo captions as printed: “Daniel’s first Young Eagle flight with John Meyers”
- February 2021 Chapter Chatter: Scholarship Offering Expanded Daniel Weaver, Madeline Patterson
President Ken Brown reported that the board decided in January to expand the scholarship program to more than one candidate, after two more very qualified people were identified. An anonymous donor gave $1,500 to the scholarship fund and challenged members to match it, by check, PayPal or the purchase of a paver.
By With President Ken Brown (column "CHAPTER CHATTER"; signed Ken)
At the January board meeting, the board decided to expand the scholarship offering to more than one candidate. Two additional very qualified individuals were identified. There was discussion and we have asked each individual to write to the board.
In light of seeing a brighter future, an anonymous donor has given the chapter $1500.00 for the scholarship fund and has asked we challenge the general membership to match this gift. I think we collectively can do this. Here are a few ways to contribute. The old standby: write a check or donate via PayPal (from our web site). Another way, which will leave a visible and permanent mark, is to purchase a PAVER. The “Pave the Way to the Future” has always been a means to address the scholarship needs. Pavers do not have to be only a memorial. We could have pavers for LIFETIME EAA MEMBERS, MASTER PILOTS, and ANNIVERSARY MILESTONES etc.
The future of the general aviation starts with getting young people to enjoy the feel of the boundless freedom of flight. We hold their future in our hands. Let us all help the future aviators with a leg up.
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August 2020 Congratulations Madeline Patterson Madeline Patterson Madeline Patterson passed her Private Pilot checkride on July 25, 2020, exactly four years after her first lesson at Port Angeles Airport. She wrote this bio on the road to Grand Forks to study Commercial Aviation at the University of North Dakota, and said she would stay on as the chapter's membership chair from there.
By none (first-person bio by Madeline Patterson)
My interest in aviation stems from my family’s love for travel. I took my first commercial flight when I was two and a half to be a flower girl at my Aunt’s Hawaiian wedding. For several years my family made it a priority to take a family vacation, usually to Disneyland or to Florida to visit my great grandmother and I began to fall in love with the SeaTac airport. My sister and I would call dibs on the bed closest to the window at a nearby hotel and we would watch the air traffic come and go. Growing up, I didn’t consider aviation as a career. I joined the Civil Air Patrol when I was 12 and set my sights on the Coast Guard Academy.
In the summer of 2016, my grandfather said he had an airplane and proposed I begin flight training at Port Angeles Airport. I took my first flight July 25, 2016, and through several ups and downs, starts and stops, and three CFIs, exactly four years later, on July 25 2020, I passed my PPL check ride. Along the way I decided to postpone my plans to join the Coast Guard because I knew that flight school wasn’t a guarantee for me, and I was hopelessly in love with flying and didn’t want to do anything else. I decided in November 2019 I wanted to go to the University of North Dakota for a Bachelor of Aeronautical Sciences in Commercial Aviation. After applying and being accepted into the program as a sophomore transfer student, I met with my new (and amazing) CFI Keith to make plans to finish my PPL before August.
I have no harrowing tales or life stories to add to this biography, as I have many more years to gather nuggets of wisdom. I write this brief biography on Highway 200 traveling through the Montana wilderness enroute to Grand Forks, North Dakota. I will remain the membership chair, as long as it’s possible through digital connectivity, and will continue to represent Chapter 430 all the way out here in the Northern Plains.
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- January 2020 Welcome New EAA 430 Member: Madeline Patterson Madeline Patterson
Madeline Patterson introduced herself as a new chapter member and its new Membership Director. A Civil Air Patrol cadet for six years, she was training for her Private Pilot License and hoped to finish before leaving for the University of North Dakota aviation program in August.
By none (first-person bio by Madeline Patterson)
I’m relatively new to the aviation scene, and relatively new to life itself compared to other members of EAA. I have always loved planes, flying was one of the best parts of a vacation, but I had always figured everyone had that same admiration for pilots. I really discover the industry through Civil Air Patrol, as I’ve been a cadet for six years now, but my grandfather was the jumping off platform for formal flight training a few years ago. I am still without a Private Pilot’s License, but I have a goal of getting it before I leave for college in the summer. I train in a Cessna 175 Skylark (I’ve nicknamed it “Echo” for it’s tail number) which is currently under maintenance. I am the new Membership Director for EAA 430, although I don’t know for how long that will be since I leave for the University of North Dakota Aviation program in August. In a few years I will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Commercial Aviation, but I am not sure exactly what I am going to do with that afterwards. Cargo? Airlines? Military? We’ll see! I really appreciate any advice anyone has to offer about anything, and I look forward to new experiences in EAA and Aviation.
- June 2019 Letter from Scholarship Recepient Seth Mulhausen
In a letter to Dave Miller, past scholarship recipient Seth Mulhausen reported finishing his final semester at Rocky Mountain College with a 3.59 GPA. He called the EAA 430 scholarship an immense help and said he wants to give back to the Port Townsend Aero Museum and the chapter, starting with instructing at the museum that summer.
By letter signed Seth Mulhausen, with editor's introduction
The following is a letter from our 2015-2016 school year scholarship recipient, Seth Mulhausen to Dave Miller, Scholarship Chairman.
Dave
It’s a little surreal writing this email. I just finished my final semester at Rocky Mountain college, although it has not hit me yet that it’s all over! I finished with a total of 3.59 GPA (.01 away from magna cum laude), semester GPA of 3.69.
Even though our Baron was broken most of the semester, and I never even got to fly it because of that, I received a waiver to finish multi at Galvin Flying, my employer, and will still receive credit for the class, and won’t lose my 1000 hour restricted ATP. It’s unfortunate I couldn’t fly the Baron, but either way I’ll get my multi.
The EAA 430 scholarship was an immense help. Thank you so much for your generosity! I know, for sure, there are two places I want to give back once I’m established, and that is the Museum, and Chapter 430. Both have impacted my life so much. I’ve already told Mike that I want to spend some time instructing at the museum this summer, and it seems he’s keen to have me back.
I want to write more, but nothing is coming to me at the moment, so again, thank you, and keep in touch!
Sincerely, Seth Mulhausen
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May 2019 EAA Scholarship Recipient Jacob Kirschbaum Jacob Kirschbaum Jacob Kirschbaum was chosen to receive the chapter's scholarship for the following year, and this is his introductory letter. A freshman studying commercial aviation at the University of North Dakota, he earned his Private Certificate through the Port Townsend Aero Museum and hopes to become an airline pilot and volunteer as an instructor at the museum. He wrote that the scholarship would help with flight training costs on top of regular tuition.
By none (editor's introduction, then letter signed Jacob Kirschbaum)
Jacob Kirschbaum has been chosen to receive our EAA Scholarship for the following year. The following is Jacob’s introductory letter to the Chapter. Dave Miller, Scholarship Chairman, met Jacob at the Port Townsend Aero Museum. He was on spring break from school and spending his time helping the museum.
My name is Jacob Kirschbaum, I am currently a Freshman at the University of North Dakota working towards a major in Commercial Aviation and a minor in Computer Science. My goal is to become a commercial pilot and eventually earn my Airline Transport Pilot certificate. Using this training I would like to get a job flying for a commercial airline in the future. While my eventual goal is to become an airline pilot, I know that I will never lose sight of where I started in aviation.
My training through my Private Certificate was done locally on the Olympic Peninsula at the Port Townsend Aero Museum. Through the museum I have met many people for whom aviation is not only how they make a living but it is also a passion that they work hard to spread to others. Without this program I never would have decided to pursue a career in aviation. I have always had a passion for airplanes but becoming a pilot always seemed like something that was out of reach. My plan was to go to school to become an Aerospace Engineer so that I would be able to work with airplanes. When I was 16 and first went to the museum, I wasn’t even aware of their pilot training program. I knew that they had youth volunteers working on aircraft in the shop, and I just saw it as a great opportunity to learn more about aircraft. One Thursday after school in 10th grade I drove up to Port Townsend to ask about the program and see what was required to join. This is when I was first introduced to Jerry Thoutte. Jerry explained to me that the program also included flight training and that I could not only work on airplanes but also become a pilot. As I progressed through flight training at the museum, I developed a passion for flying. I realized that becoming a pilot was not out of reach. Once my senior year of high school came around, and I had earned my Private Certificate, I was no longer sure that engineering was the career that I wanted to pursue. I decided to attend the University of North Dakota to become a commercial pilot. Without the program at the museum I never would have ended up where I am today, pursuing a career that I know I will truly love. That brings us back to my goals in aviation. While my career goal is to become a commercial airline pilot, I also want to be able to give back to the program that set me on this path. Once I have my ATP, I hope to find a job working for a regional airline in the Seattle area. I plan to contribute to the future of aviation by volunteering as an instructor at the museum and helping to pass on a love of aviation to another generation of pilots. I don’t think anything else could be as fulfilling as helping kids in the same position as I was to realize that aviation is not out of reach, and to help them find their true passion.
My parents have saved money to pay for college for myself and my younger sister but they did not anticipate the extra costs associated with flight training. With me currently going through the Aviation program at UND, and my sister set to go off to college in just over a year, I’ve been applying for scholarships in an attempt to help ease the financial pressure on my family. This scholarship would help to pay for some of the extra costs that are associated with flight training on top of the regular college tuition.
Thank you for considering me for your scholarship, Jacob Kirschbaum
Photo captions as printed: “EAA Scholarship Recipient Jacob Kirschbaum (Continued from previous page)”; “Aero Museum’s Cessna 150”; “Aero Museum’s Cessna 140”; “University of North Dakota Archer”
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- January 2019 Scholarship Program Seth Mulhausen
Seth Mulhausen, the chapter's scholarship recipient, was set to graduate in the spring from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, with a four-year degree in aeronautical studies. With his scholarship finished, Scholarship Chair Dave Miller invited new applicants and explained the program: $1,500 per year paid to the school, in return for transcripts showing progress toward graduation. Members were encouraged to recommend candidates and to donate to the scholarship fund.
By By Dave Miller
The recipient of our chapter’s scholarship program, Seth Mulhausen, will graduate this Spring from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, with a four-year degree in aeronautical studies. Training in Montana, I expect he will also be a competent pilot in adverse winter conditions. Since Seth has finished his scholarship program with our chapter, we are inviting new applicants for the 2019-2010 school year.
The intent of this program is to support students seeking a career in aviation and working towards an aviation degree, at either the bachelor or associate level. Past candidates have included both pilots and aeronautical engineers. It has also been suggested we consider A&P school applicants and we are certainly willing to do so.
The past two recipients have both come from the Port Townsend Aero Museum program. The overriding benefit of choosing from this select pool of young people is that they have already demonstrated a significant commitment to aviation, on both the pilot and maintenance side, and a strong work ethic. Because of their demonstrated abilities, the probability of their success in college is very high and our money can be considered well invested.
Funding has been at a level of $1,500 per year divided between two semesters or three quarters and paid directly to the registrars office of the school. All we ask in return are copies of college transcripts showing normal progression towards graduation.
If you’d like to recommend a scholarship candidate, please contact the scholarship chair, David Miller (scholarship@eaa430.org).
If you believe the scholarship program is a good idea to improve the long term health of aviation, consider making a donation to the EAA 430 scholarship fund. Scholarship donations are used only to support the scholarship program and may qualify for income tax deductions.
See pictures on following page
- March 2018 Scholarship Student Update Seth Mulhausen
Seth Mulhausen, the chapter's scholarship student, completed his flight instructor (CFI) check. He planned to spend part of the summer instructing at the Port Townsend museum.
By Dave Miller
Dave Miller writes:
Seth completed his CFI check and, at least for know, plans on spending part of the summer instructing at the Port Townsend museum.
- January 2018 Scholarship Student Update Seth Mulhausen
Seth Mulhausen's fall semester report showed him enjoying his flying, classes and competitions, including courses in airline simulation and geographic information systems. With his university flight team he competed at the Air Force Academy, where the team's best result was fourth place in the message drop. He expected to take his flight instructor (CFI) flight test the next semester.
By Dave Miller, Scholarship program coordinator
Fall Semester report from Seth Mulhausen:
Our scholarship recipient is doing well and it sounds like he’s enjoying the heck out of his flying, classes, and competitions.
In addition to regular college courses Seth completed classes in Airline Simulation (that included simulator time) and GIS (geographic information systems), which sounds like advanced map reading and creation.
As a member of the universities flight team Seth visited the Air Force Academy that was the host school for a variety of aviation competition events. Their best placing was forth in “message drop”. No, he didn’t specify what type of message or where it was dropped, but overall they had a great time competing and meeting Air Force pilots.
This next semester Seth expects to take his CFI flight test and he’s looking forward to instructing. This semester also includes a class in CRM (crew resource management) and six CRM LOFT simulator sessions with a flight partner in a turbo Baron simulator.
So he’s doing well.
Dave Miller Scholarship program coordinator
- July 2017 Scholarship Student Update Seth Mulhausen
Scholarship recipient Seth Mulhausen completed his Commercial Pilot course and flight check. His next step was flight instructor (CFI) training, and Scholarship Coordinator Dave Miller sent him congratulations.
By Dave Miller, Scholarship Coordinator
Our Scholarship recipient, Seth Mulhausen has just finished his Commercial Pilot course and flight check. Next up is the start of CFI training. I sent him a Congratulations.
Dave Miller Scholarship Coordinator
- June 2017 Scholarship Student Update Seth Mulhausen
Seth Mulhausen finished his sophomore year at Rocky Mountain College with an overall GPA of 3.6 and was about to start flying the Bonanza toward his commercial rating. After giving a well-received safety presentation, he was voted President of the Aviation Student Advisory Committee. Dave Miller reported to the chapter that its scholarship recipient was doing well.
By Dave Miller, Scholarship Coordinator
Our Scholarship recipient, Seth Mulhausen, has finished his sophomore year at Rocky Mountain College. His transcript shows an overall GPA of 3.6 for the first two years, excellent in my book. He is about to start flying the Bonanza to complete his commercial rating and start on his CFI rating. Seth is also attending the summer session to take advantage of the good flying weather. He’s thinking long term and finished the 737-200 systems class for familiarization with large aircraft. He also joined a group of students that traveled to Oklahoma City to experience high altitude chamber training at the FAA Academy.
He was invited to make a safety presentation at the semester safety meeting, topic was CFIT and analysis of a Bonanza that crashed in the Cascades. Apparently the presentation was well received because Seth was voted to be the President of the Aviation Student Advisory Committee, a group organized to provide student input and provide the best aviation education possible.
Bottom line, Seth is doing well.
Dave Miller Scholarship Coordinator
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January 2017 EAA 430 Scholarship Student Update Seth Mulhausen Seth Mulhausen, the chapter's scholarship student, had a busy fall semester at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, competing with the NIFA Flight Team against several schools in Logan, Utah. He kept a 3.6 cumulative GPA and was about a third of the way through his Commercial Pilot curriculum. Scholarship Chair Dave Miller shared the update so members could follow his progress.
By Dave Miller, Scholarship Chair
Seth Mulhausen has had a busy semester at Rocky Mountain College in Billings. He’s is a member of the NIFA Flight Team and they competed last fall against Utah State, Colorado Metro, Colorado Northern Community College, Westminster College, and the US Air force Academy, at Logan, Utah. The first evening was aircraft recognition and Seth did well, identifying the older GA airplanes from the US (as well he should having worked at the Port Townsend Aero Museum, home to many old airplanes), not so well identifying old Russian airplanes. In the flying events Seth competed in the navigation and short field landing competitions. Other non-flying competitions included Pre-flight and Simulated Comprehensive Navigation. Seth enjoyed the competition and learned a lot by observing how other teams competed.
Grade wise he is maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.6 and next semester will be taking Aviation Safety, Advanced Aircraft Systems, CFI Ground, 737 Aircraft Systems, and a one credit class in Altitude Chamber training (always fun to watch your fingertips turn blue). In addition he’s continuing as a Flight Team member.
In flight training Seth is about a third of the way through his Commercial Pilot curriculum and his major flight goal for the next semester is to complete the long cross country. He mentioned something about Montana’s winter weather being a challenge. No kidding; it gets seriously cold and nasty there.
Dave Miller Scholarship Chair
How you can help
Every scholarship dollar comes from our members and community. EAA Chapter 430 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and donations to the scholarship fund are used only for scholarships and may be tax deductible. [Dec 2018, Jan 2019]
Ways to give, from the newsletters:
- A direct gift by PayPal, Venmo, or check to EAA Chapter 430, PO Box 13, Carlsborg, WA 98324 [Feb 2021; confirmed current Oct 2026]
- A memorial or recognition paver at Sequim Valley Airport, $200 for a 4x8 or $400 for an 8x8. Contact treasurer@eaa430.org to confirm current pricing and order.
- Our fundraisers: the summer Poker Run, Chili Bingo Night, and the 50/50 raffle at gatherings [Jan 2026, Jul 2026, Nov 2025]
- Prop balancing with the chapter’s balancer, which will fund scholarships once it’s paid off [Jul 2026, Aug 2026]
More EAA scholarships
EAA headquarters also offers national scholarships for flight training and for college study in aviation. Flight training awards can be used at most flight schools in the U.S. and Canada, and college awards cover aviation fields from engineering and maintenance to air traffic control and professional flight. Applicants need to be at least 16, and EAA membership isn’t required, though EAA and chapter members get priority. Flight training applications are usually open October 1 to December 16 each year.
Questions about our chapter’s scholarships? Email our scholarship chair, Linda Priddle, at scholarship@eaa430.org.