William Jr's Flight School Fund

Hello everyone, first off, thank you for taking the time to read my story.  I am 16 years old and on a journey to becoming a licensed private pilot.  I am looking forward to sharing my story with other kids like myself in an effort to help them achieve their dreams just like someone helped me.  I have attended airshows at Joint Base Andrews and participated in discovery flights with the following organizations: Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Aviation, Washington International Flight Academy and Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP).  Over the past three years, I have attended OBAP's Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academy located at Northern Virginia (NOVA) in Manassas, which provides middle and high school youth with exposure to opportunities in aerospace and aviation through week-long summer camps.  The program is endorsed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), OBAP has served a leading role in establishing ACE Academies nationwide to introduce, educate and guide diverse students towards careers in aviation.

Discovery flight opportunity to fly a Cessna 172.

Discovery flight with Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Thomas Adams, Dulles Aviation.

Discovery flight opportunity to fly a Cessna Cardinal.

Discovery flight with EAA.

I have been fortunate and blessed to have met wonderful people along this journey.  Especially individuals’ like Mr. Dave who made my short term dream a reality.  For instance, I’ve always wanted to fly a DA-Diamond Star 40.  This was the most memorable experience to date and confirmation to know that it must be God’s will to become a pilot.

One of the many field trips attended during OBAP ACE Academy.  The volunteers are currently employed or retired from the aviation career field and they are dedicated to educating the youth.

Thanks to my mentor, Courtney Walters, a long time customer of my dad’s and now a close family friend, who informed me about the program earlier this year.  I interviewed with the East Coast Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (ECCTAI) Youth in Aviation Program (YIAP) and was accepted to attend a free ground school with CFIs Mr. Broderick Kelly & Ms. Yvonne McGee (daughter of Tuskegee Airman Col. Charles McGee) located at College Park Airport, Hap Arnold Center from 2 Feb - 27 Apr.   I’ve worked my butt off week after week by staying up late and waking up early to study in an effort to pass my exams, which paid off.  I managed to get a 93% average overall.  On Saturday, April 20th, in order to pass the final practical exam I needed at least a 70%, but I passed with an 85%.  I was able to get an appointment that same day at Frederick Flight Center and passed the FAA written exam with a 77%.  

Capt. Karl Minter (Chairman of the Board of Advisors (BOA), B-767 Captain for United Airlines and retired Lt Colonel with 26 years’ of service in the United States Air Force), Courtney Walters (Captain for Delta Airlines), me and my sister Mikayla.

Just passed FAA written exam.

Last month through researching we found that Delta Air Lines was providing $100,000 in scholarships to help children from military families attend summer camp at the National Flight Academy in Pensacola, FL.  The money will pay for tuition for 80 students from the families of active duty or retired military service members.  Scholarship recipients will be able to attend a six-day overnight "Deployment Program" this summer.  Campers are known as AMBITION Experimental Pilots (AXPs). They'll live aboard the virtual aircraft carrier AMBITION and take part in a high-tech adventure that incorporates STEM knowledge and other skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership development, and effective communication.  I was selected and awarded a scholarship from Delta Air Lines to attend the National Flight Academy for a 2019 Summer Deployment 19-06 (June 30th – July 5th, 2019).  They will live stream the graduation and I will make sure to post the link here.


The ECCTAI YIAP will cover the first 15 hours dual flight instruction and I will be flying at Potomac airport through HJ Aviation up to 3 times a week, which I plan to start in the next couple of weeks.  I have set a goal to become a licensed private pilot by the time I turn 17 on October 15th.  I am super excited, committed to education and to the aviation career field, and one step closer to becoming a private pilot.  The requirements to become a licensed pilot is to have 40 hours, which means I will need 25 more hours.  The cost of flight lessons through HJ Aviation, LLC is $130 per flight hour for plane rental and $45 per hour for flight instruction totaling $175 per hour dual.  

The money raised from this campaign will be used by me to acquire my private pilot license.  If you could find it in your heart to take the time to make a donation, no amount is too small, that would really help.  Thank you for reading my story, all donations will be greatly appreciated.

Any funds raised above my goal or remaining after finishing my private pilot license will be used towards the purchase of a Bose A20 Headset and additional training needed to become a commercial airline pilot, which is my ultimate dream.

Please pass this link on through social media: www.gofundme.com/jrflying.  

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