TWO ABLE FLIGHT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS WILL MAKE A TWO-PLANE, SEVEN-CITY, ONE-THOUSAND MILE JOURNEY FROM ATLANTA TO OSHKOSH

In 2007, Brad Jones and Sean O'Donnell became the first Able Flight Scholarship winners to earn their Sport Pilot Certificates. Beginning July 21 in Atlanta, they'll barnstorm their way to an opening day arrival ceremony in AeroShell Square at the world's greatest aviation event, EAA AirVenture.

Both Brad and Sean use wheelchairs due to spinal cord injuries suffered in vehicle accidents and they'll be flying a matched set of specially-adapted Sky Arrow 600 LSAs, a unique aircraft that can be flown with a second set of hand controls, and almost instantly reconfigured for the use of its standard controls.

The two pilots will depart Cobb County Airport just north of Atlanta on July 21^st for their first stop...

JESSICA SCHARLE BECOMES FIRST WOMAN ABLE FLIGHT SCHOLARSHIP WINNER TO EARN PILOT CERTIFICATE

Being born with a condition that fused nearly every joint in her body into almost total immobility meant that Jessica Scharle would never have the luxury of an easy pathway to achieving her goals. But even as a very young child in North Carolina, she began to display a will and resolve that soon had her parents wondering if the dire predictions of doctors might be wrong after all. Now, after teaching herself how to navigate her way through life, she has once again proven that her disability is no match for her determination. On May 31st, Jessica Scharle earned the distinction of becoming the first female Able Flight Scholarship winner to complete training and earn a Sport Pilot certificate.

Her path to becoming a pilot began while she was a student at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, when she worked work two jobs to earn enough to take an occasional flying lesson at a nearby airport.

RYAN KELLY BECOMES FIRST WOUNDED WARRIOR ABLE FLIGHT SCHOLARSHIP WINNER TO EARN PILOT’S CERTIFICATE

When Staff Sergeant Ryan Kelly lost his right leg below the knee in July of 2003 in Ramadi, Iraq, he held little hope that he would fulfill his goal of flying helicopters. But the decorated veteran not only returned to the United States and earned a degree at Embry Riddle in Arizona, he earned his helicopter and helicopter CFI certificates as well. Now, using his Able Flight Scholarship, he has become a fixed-wing pilot, and will soon be an instructor in airplanes with a goal of teaching others with disabilities how to fly.

Ryan is also the first scholarship winner to have trained at Philly Sport Pilot, the new flight training operation opened by scholarship winner Sean O’Donnell at Wings Field in Philadelphia. Of his experience there Ryan says, “I really enjoyed training in Philly. It was a great mix of small airports full of character, and busy airspace that allowed me to keep up on my radio procedures. Being able to fly in Sean's aircraft was really cool. It’s great to see how a scholarship winner can ‘complete the circle’. It’s a real motivation for me to get my fixed-wing CFI so I can give back also.”

CALLING ALL PILOTS !!!
JOIN ABLE FLIGHT'S NICKEL A NAUTICAL MILE
"FUN RAISING" CAMPAIGN!

It's a fun and easy way to support Able Flight's unique scholarship program, and you'll have the chance to win prizes.

Here's how it works:

Choose a month in which to participate and track the number of nautical miles you fly that month. Multiply the miles by a nickel, and during the first week of the following month, make a donation of that amount to Able Flight. For example, fly 500 nautical miles and make a $25 tax deductible donation.

Able Flight Announces Four New Scholarship Winners

March 19, 2008 (Chapel Hill, NC)

Today, Able Flight announced its latest winners of flight training scholarships for people with disabilities. Receiving awards are Jessica Cox of Tucson, Arizona, Kirk Fjetland of New Brighton, Minnesota, Ryan Kelly of Austin, Texas and Jeremy Maddox of Pendergrass, Georgia.

Jessica Cox is a 25 year-old graduate of the University of Arizona who has achieved a great deal in such a short time, and she has done so after being born without arms. She’s an athlete who is accomplished in Tae Kwon-Do and swimming, and a motivational speaker with the goal of taking her inspiring personal story to every state by 2012. And now, she’s defying preconceptions with her goal of earning a Sport Pilot certificate. Of her scholarship she says; “Everything I have done in my life has challenged the interpretation of what is considered possible. When people see what I can do without arms, their world of impossibilities diminishes and their understanding of what’s possible expands. When I earn my Sport Pilot license it will not only be my greatest achievement and change my life, but will also change the world’s understanding of what is possible.” Jessica will begin her training in Summer 2008.

Kirk Fjetland of New Brighton, MN is a Navy veteran who has become disabled due to degenerative disk disease, and has been selected as Able Flight’s first winner of a Flight Training Challenge scholarship. For years he has had to deal with the physical limitations and pain that are the result of the disease, but even so has sought out another challenge, that of learning to fly. In his scholarship application, he wrote that, “Becoming a pilot has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Recalling that dream has saved my life…It was like I had been reborn.” Kirk is looking forward to sharing his training experiences with his wife and five children, including a son who serves in the Air Force, a daughter serving in the Army in Afghanistan, and his youngest son, who is currently in high school and plans to serve as a Marine.

Ryan Kelly was a Staff Sergeant in the Army Reserves in July of 2003 in Ramadi, Iraq when he lost his right leg below the knee in an IED attack. After being awarded a Bronze Star with Valor Device, this young man who had previously dreamed of becoming a helicopter pilot faced days filled with rehab and doubts about his future, until he learned that even with a prosthetic leg, it was possible to qualify for civilian helicopter flight training. He was accepted at Embry Riddle University in Arizona where he would not only graduate cum laude, but would earn his certificate as a helicopter pilot. He followed that by becoming a helicopter instructor, and with his Able Flight scholarship will now earn his fixed wing license, and plans to become an instructor in airplanes with a goal of teaching others with disabilities how to fly. Ryan will be the first Able Flight Scholarship winner to be trained at Philly Sport Pilot, a new training operation established by Able Flight graduate Sean O'Donnell of Philadelphia.

Ryan's scholarship was funded through the generous support of the East Cooper Pilot's Association of Mt. Pleasant, SC in honor of their friend Colonel Woody Faison.

Jeremy Maddox is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a long list of athletic and academic achievements. When a spinal cord injury from a motocross accident caused the paralysis that requires him to use a wheelchair, Jeremy was as determined as ever to “strive to keep my face to the light and see each challenge for the blessing it really is. The challenges in my life have enabled me to grow as a person with a passion for life and living. They have helped me develop my character, perfect my work ethic and most of all, they have shown me how I can help others. With the assistance of the Able Flight Scholarship, I know my adventures can continue and my dreams can be achieved by helping me reach new heights and explore an endless horizon of opportunity.”

Jeremy will train at Hansen Air Group in Kennesaw, Georgia in Summer 2008.

Scholarship Winner Jorge Urrea Earns Pilot Certificate

March 4, 2008

Atlanta resident Jorge Urrea passed his checkride on February 20th to become the third Able Flight Scholarship winner to earn a Sport Pilot Certificate. He trained with volunteer flight instructors Mitch Hansen, Mike Davidson and Matt Hansen in a specially-adapted Sky Arrow 600 LSA at Hansen Air Group in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Jorge came to the United States after sustaining a spinal cord injury in a 1992 accident in his native Columbia. At the time, rehabilitative opportunities in Columbia didn’t compare with those in the United States, so the young man who had been trained as an architect traveled to Atlanta for the advanced care and support he needed.

Urrea now works as a projects coordinator for a major Atlanta firm, and has donated hundreds of hours of his time at Shepherd Center, one of the nation’s premier facilities for the rehabilitation of people with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. As a volunteer, he uses his architectural training to help the families of recently injured patients modify their homes to make them more accessible.

Those who meet Jorge soon learn of his passion for aviation. So it came as no surprise to family, friends and co-workers when he won an Able Flight scholarship and worked hard to meet the challenges of learning to fly. By earning his license, Jorge has fulfilled a dream that began during his childhood, and reaffirmed his belief that “If you fight for your dreams no matter how long, those dreams can become a reality.”

Jorge was awarded his Able Flight “Wings” on February 29^th, and there for the celebration were his parents Samuel and Clara, his brother Luis and sister-in-law Adriana, flight instructors Mike Davidson and Matt Hansen, friend Ana Hodges, scholarship winners Booker Linkhorn, Jr. and Jessica Scharle, Jon Hansen of Hansen Air Group, and Able Flight’s Charles Stites.

Able Flight “Graduate” Creates Own Flight School

January 29, 2008

Less than a week after becoming the second scholarship winner to earn his pilot’s certificate, Sean O’Donnell of Philadelphia was negotiating the purchase of a specially-adapted Sky Arrow, the same aircraft model used during his training. That was during EAA AirVenture 2007 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the site of Sean’s month-long training that led to him passing his checkride on the opening day of aviation’s largest event.

O’Donnell’s dream of flying began well before the motorcycle accident that caused his paralysis nearly 13 years ago. But it was a dream put on hold until he learned of Able Flight’s scholarship program and the availability of the Italian-made Sky Arrow 600 LSA, an airplane that can be ordered with factory-installed controls that enable it to be flown entirely by hand. Buying a plane of his own would be a great story in itself, but it goes far beyond that. With his Sky Arrow, Sean is opening Philly Sport Pilot at historic Wings Field just a few minutes north of Philadelphia.

“When I was awarded the Able Flight scholarship, I truly felt that it was a fantastic gift,” said O’Donnell. “But I also felt that I was charged with a duty: That duty was to work as hard as I can to pass this gift onto others. The best way that I could do that was provide flying resources for people with disabilities in the Northeast, particularly, Philadelphia.

“My first hope is to provide safe, quality training for all those who can achieve it. I don't want to see someone who is completely capable of being a good pilot, like I was, stopped by an issue like mobility - which we are smart enough to get around. My second hope is to see Able Flight thrive and help provide them with the resources they need to accomplish their mission. It is a team effort and something I believe in.”

“Sean’s decision to create his own flight school is an outstanding example of “paying it forward”, said Charles Stites of Able Flight. “He has created a second training location where we can send Able Flight scholarship winners, and in fact, we already have a young man who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident a little over a year ago, scheduled to attend. Sean’s been very successful in his own life, never allowing personal challenges to stand in the way of his many achievements. For years, he has served as a role model for others facing similar challenges, and he’ll do the same for our scholarship winners who attend his school.”

Sean ordered his Sky Arrow from Hansen Air Group of Kennesaw, GA, just north of Atlanta. Hansen is an Able Flight sponsor, and the East Coast distributor for the unique airplane. Working in conjunction with Montgomery County Aviation, the largest flight school in Philadelphia, Philly Sport Pilot is scheduled to open in February, and will provide training for Sport and Private Pilot Certificates for student pilots with or without a disability (the Sky Arrow can be flown either way). For more information on Philly Sport Pilot, contact Sean at www.phillysportpilot.com .

Able Flight Marks First Full Year With
“Celebration of Achievement: New Wings, New Beginnings” In Atlanta Ceremony

December 17, 2007

Atlanta’s Shepherd Center was the site of Able Flight’s first annual “Celebration of Achievement” in November. Attended by previous and new scholarship winners and their families, sponsors and special guests, the event marked the completion of a year since Able Flight awarded its first scholarships in December 2006.

Highlights of the evening included the official awarding of four new scholarships, including a “surprise” award, and the first of Able Flight’s new “Mini” Scholarships. Receiving their awards were Jacob Jeter of Orange Beach, AL; Jessica Scharle of Chapel Hill, NC; Booker T. Linkhorn, Jr. of Atlanta, GA and Matthew Wells of Murfreesboro, TN.

The master of ceremonies for the evening was Lt. Colonel Richard “Spad’ McSpadden, Lead Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds for the 2002-2004 seasons. Col. McSpadden introduced previous scholarship winners Stephany Glassing, Brad Jones, Sean O’Donnell and Jorge Urrea, and spoke of his experiences with the Thunderbirds, and of recently flying the specially-adapted training aircraft used by Able Flight scholarship winners. He also acknowledged the valuable contributions of volunteer flight instructors Mitch Hansen, Matt Hansen and Mike Davidson, and of volunteer Mike Hansen, and Able Flight’s “Volunteer Of The Year”, Kevin Rodgers.

Able Flight’s Executive Director Charles H. Stites had the honor of introducing representatives of several Able Flight sponsors in attendance, including Bob Seidel and Kevin Rodgers of Jet Aviation, Barry Mellor of Dunlap Mellor (also there to represent new major sponsor ConocoPhilips), Michael Lederer of Bombardier, and Ralph Lloyd of Cessna Aircraft Company.

Stites then introduced Able Flight’s newest scholarship recipients including Jessica Scharle and Jacob Jeter. Jeter was also honored as the second winner of the Clark Harrison Award (named for a co-founder of Shepherd Center who became one the country’s first paraplegic pilots). Presenting the Harrison Award was Clark’s son Tom Harrison, and Clark’s instructor, Clint Rodgers.

Matthew Wells of Murfreesboro, TN was chosen as the first recipient of an Able Flight “Mini” Scholarship. A private pilot who was paralyzed due to an auto accident, Wells will use his award to return to flying in an adapted airplane (see more on Matthew soon at www.ableflight.org). In a special announcement at the end of the ceremony, Able Flight awarded a full scholarship to Atlanta resident Booker T. Linkholm. Linkholm’s selection by the Scholarship Committee had been finalized just a few days before the ceremony, and the surprise announcement to a very delighted Linkholm was one of many highlights of the special evening. Look for more about Booker in an upcoming edition of Able Flight’s news.

Able Flight would like to thank Scott Sikes and Dean Melcher of the Shepherd Center Foundation for their gracious welcome, and for their support of Able Flight’s mission throughout the year. And a special thanks to Mike Mosley for the photos of the event.

ABLE FLIGHT ANNOUNCES NEW SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:

Jessica Scharle of NC and Tyler Ryan of NY

CHAPEL HILL, NC, October 23, 2007

Today, Able Flight announced its latest winners of flight training scholarships for people with disabilities. Receiving awards are Jessica Scharle of Chapel Hill, NC, and Tyler Ryan of Walden, New York. Able Flight’s Executive Director Charles Stites said of the latest scholarships recipients, “Jessica and Tyler are two deserving people who both share a love of aviation, yet their personal stories are very different. Since her birth, Jessica has shown a determination and willpower that has given her the ability to overcome numerous obstacles, while Ryan has refused to allow his recent injury to change his goals in life. We welcome both Jessica and Ryan as Able Flight Scholarship winners, and wish them great success in their training”.

Twenty three year-old Jessica Scharle was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, a condition that caused her to have very limited motion in very joint except her right hip. Even after many corrective surgeries, she was forced to continue her own brand of “physical therapy”, which was born of her refusal to let her medical condition stand in her way. Her father notes that it was a struggle for her to “accomplish everyday chores” but not only did she master them, along the way she learned to ride a bike, ice skate and ride horses, all on her own while adamantly refusing the help of others.

A recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jessica not only worked two jobs to help put herself through school, but also managed to take ten hours of flying lessons (a fact she revealed to her parents only later). Flight has long held a fascination for Jessica, who as a young girl would stand in her back yard for hours watching birds.

Of her selection as an Able Flight Scholarship winner, she said, "I hope that in achieving my personal dream of independently experiencing flight, I will be able to inspire others, disabled or not, to never give up on their dreams. But instead, I would encourage them to be relentless in finding a way or making their own. As Maya Angelou once said, “I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.”

Tyler Ryan was a senior in high school last October 9^th when a motorcycle accident caused a catastrophic spinal cord injury, leaving him paralyzed from the bottom of his ribs down. After three weeks in Westchester Medical Center and a month in a rehab hospital, the teenager who had once played basketball, football, golf, baseball, and guitar in a band, now felt that his life’s plan of becoming a pilot had ended. Even so, facing a future that had changed in an instant, he had the inner strength and support of family that allowed him to finish high school on time, and he is now enrolled in college near his home.

Before his injury, Tyler volunteered for a number of years with the Physically Challenged Irish-American Youth Team, where he served as a chaperone for a child with a physical disability. In her letter accompanying his application, Tyler’s aunt Maureen wrote, “Looking back on this experience, it seems that it may have influenced Tyler to accept his accident and understand that he could have a full and productive life despite his disability.” He now plans to continue his volunteer work by creating a wheelchair division for his high school’s Summer Basketball League.

Of his scholarship Tyler said, “When I got hurt last October, I thought my dream of becoming a pilot was over. I was told I would never walk again, and to me that meant I would never fly. I am so excited that this program is giving me a chance to continue my life and follow my dreams. It is so amazing that there are people out there that still care about other people, and not just themselves. This program will make me more independent and give me the opportunity to be free again and not worry about my disability. I can still fulfill my dreams of becoming a pilot.”

With their selections, Jessica and Tyler have become the ninth and tenth scholarship winners in the ten months since Able Flight awarded its first scholarships.