Minnesota flight instructor advances training while balancing family and aviation goals
Aviation has long been a part of Gabriel Kesler’s life, from the time he attended airshows as a child in northern Iowa to his teaching future pilots in RV–12s at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Now, as a newly certificated flight instructor and single father of two, Gabriel is the latest recipient of Sporty’s $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship, which he will use to obtain his Multiengine and Multiengine Instructor ratings.
Gabriel’s interest in aviation took root early. His father, a Navy veteran who served during the Vietnam era, frequently took him to airshows and instilled in him a sense of awe for the Blue Angels and the world of flight. Although no one else in his family became a pilot, aviation remained a constant source of inspiration for him.
Gabriel considered a career in aviation and had an early interest in military flying. He eventually became a phlebotomist, but his dream of flying never faded. By the end of 2023, fueled by increasing demand for professional pilots, Gabriel made a bold decision: he left his job in healthcare to pursue flight training full-time.
Training at Accelerated Aviation Instruction at the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport (KOWA) in Minnesota, Gabriel earned his private, instrument, and commercial certificates using Sporty’s Pilot Training+ membership for his ground school. By early 2025, he had earned all of his certifications through CFI.
Gabriel now teaches in a variety of training environments, including EAA’s Sport Pilot Academy in Oshkosh, where he instructs in RV–12s and contributes to the Pilot Proficiency Center during AirVenture. He has logged more than 340 hours and especially enjoys the continual learning that aviation demands. “There is always something new to understand,” he said. “That constant growth is what draws me to flying.”
As a single father raising two boys, ages 8 and 6, Gabriel balances training, instructing, and family responsibilities. Sporty’s scholarship will help him continue advancing his qualifications without slowing his momentum. “This support will help me complete my Multiengine and MEI ratings so I can instruct more students and contribute even more to the aviation community,” he said. “My goal is to keep growing, keep teaching, and one day fly medical missions.”
Sporty’s Pilot Training+ is an all-inclusive membership that unlocks Sporty’s complete library of award-winning, video-based courses for one annual fee. Membership also includes the opportunity to apply for three $2,500 scholarships, awarded annually.
To learn more about Sporty’s Pilot Training+ membership, visit Sportys.com/pilottraining.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
