Student pilot in Hawaii earns $2,500 award
Ethan DeVries knew from an early age that he was happiest while in and around airplanes. As a high school student in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he continued to dream of flying; but it would be several years before Ethan would take his first Discovery Flight.
Now, Ethan is the latest recipient of Sporty’s $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship. Since earning a political science degree from Calvin University, Ethan has worked professionally as a technology consultant, assisting both start-ups and government entities. His professional career has taken him from Washington, D.C., to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he currently resides with his wife and 17-month-old son.
It was a friend and flight instructor of Ethan’s who convinced him to take a Discovery Flight this past December, on a crystal-clear morning in Honolulu. By January 1, Ethan and his family had made the decision that he was going to make his dreams of becoming a pilot a reality. Currently 25 hours into his private pilot training, Ethan is flying a Cessna 172 Skyhawk with George’s Aviation Services, located at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)—the largest airport in Hawaii. Ethan is enjoying the experience of training at a large airport with significant airline traffic.
“I’m passionate about aviation and being a pilot,” said DeVries. “I view it as more than flying, because it’s serving my community in Hawaii which is crucial due to our reliance on air transportation. I’m committed to building my skills and giving back to the aviation community.”
DeVries is utilizing Sporty’s online Learn to Fly Course to complete his ground training and FAA knowledge test. He intends to move into Sporty’s Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot Training Course as he progresses through his certifications. Ultimately, DeVries desires to give back to the aviation community by contributing to aviation education and by sharing his passion for flying with others.
“I aim to optimize the scholarship award for essential tools for my training,” remarked DeVries. This includes acquiring a flight computer and an iPad with a ForeFlight subscription for my charts.”
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.
It’s easy to enroll as a Sporty’s Pilot Training+ member by visiting Sportys.com/pilottraining.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mark Wiesenhahn
mark.w@sportys.com
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