The most recent winner of Sporty’s $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship is Christopher Barns.
Barns, who was born and raised in Ohio, realized in high school that flying was his calling. Christopher looked into a number of college-based aviation programs before deciding to enlist in the US Marine Corps (USMC).
After serving in the military, Christopher pursued his passion in meteorology and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Millersville University.
Christopher is now ready to make his dreams of becoming a pilot a reality by training toward a private pilot certificate at Reigle Field (58N) in Palmyra, Pennsylvania. Once he earns his fixed-wing certification, Christopher plans on pursuing his glider certificate at a local soaring club.
“The $2,500 award would be enough for me to pay for a tailwheel endorsement at my training airport and join the local gliding club,” he said. “I would then have the opportunity to earn glider ratings and build time toward my commercial certificate as a tow pilot.”
In order to concentrate on his flight training, Christopher, a native of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, is using Sporty’s online Learn to Fly course to finish his FAA knowledge test and ground training. In addition, he plans to utilize his Pilot Training+ subscription to enroll in Sporty’s So You Want to Fly Gliders and Tailwheel Checkout courses.
“I will use the award for both an endorsement and to gain entry into the soaring world, which I will enjoy long after the funds run out,” he noted. “The local glider club always needs tow pilots, and by joining with a tailwheel endorsement, I will be able to build hours through towing and gliding.”
For a single yearly charge, Sporty’s Pilot Training+ is an all-inclusive subscription that grants access to the entire catalog of video-based courses on Sporty. The option to apply for three $2,500 scholarships, given out every year, is another benefit of membership.
For more information: Sportys.com/PilotTraining