Photo courtesy of David Tulis, AOPA

When the members of the “Class of 2025” arrived for training at Southern Illinois University (SIU) in May, they had one goal; do the work and become a licensed pilot. By the time they settled in at SIU they had already been through a months-long application, interview and selection process, and had completed four months of ground school training and passed their written exams. Now the time had arrived when they would face the rigors of an intensive training program, and by mid-July all five had succeeded and had received the coveted certificate that proclaimed them a pilot.

Just a few weeks later they were on stage at EAA AirVenture as family, friends and supporters of Able Flight honored their achievements as each pilot had their wings pinned by those who donations had made their training possible. And this year’s honorees included someone whose wings marked a significant milestone in the program’s history-the honor of being Able Flight’s 100th pilot.

Earning their wings for 2025 were Ronny Ahmed of Florida, Ryan Berndt of Wisconsin, Brandi Fields of Missouri, Chris Karadjov of California and Dominick (Nick) Lazzaro of Pennslyvania (see “Class of 2025 Training Has Begun“). There to pin their pilot wings were representatives of scholarship sponsors including Vince Bechtel of Tempest (sponsored Ronny Ahmed), Patrick Sniffen of Cirrus Aircraft (sponsored Brandi Fields), Martin Ingram of Muncie Aviation (sponsored Chris Karadjov), Linda and Randy Poznansky and their daughter Julie of the Mike Poznansky Foundation (sponsored Ryan Berndt) and Adam Kisielewski who pinned wings on fellow veteran Major Nick Lazzaro.

As this year’s pilots began training, 98 people had earned a license through Able Flight, so the question was, who would be the second person to pass their check ride to become our 100th person to complete the program and become our 100th pilot? With all of the variables involved it could have been any of the five. In early July, Ronny Ahmed became the second member of the Class of 2025 to pass a check ride, and with that, he became Able Flight’s 100th pilot.

 

Applications for Flight Training Scholarships must be postmarked by October 31st!

May 21st marked the first day of training for the Able Flight “Class of 2025”, and only three days later, they had already logged a total of just under 19 hours on their way to becoming licensed pilots.

In the months leading to their arrival at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Ronny Ahmed, Ryan Berndt, Brandi Fields, Chris Karadjov and Domenico Lazzaro had already completed ground school thanks to  online course materials donated by Sporty’s Pilot Shop. They all passed their FAA Knowledge Test before arriving at SIU to prepare them for concentrating on a six to seven week intensive flight training schedule.

With instructors Miguel Marroquin, David Nelson and Bisola Saliu teaching them in two adapted Vashon Ranger aircraft, and lead instructor Vickie Mathieu coordinating all aspects of training, the student pilots fly every day that weather allows, and the first checkrides will be scheduled as early as July 1st.