Ray Scholar Checkride

By Altas Karm 

I started my flight training during the pandemic. With Lockdown sadness, college applications, winter flying challenges, and getting Covid-19, it took me over a year to get close to finishing my training. As I was nearing my checkride in July, I broke my ankle. Just as my ankle was healing, I had to leave for college and marching band practice.  In order to complete my flight training, I commuted every weekend from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to Galt Airport, while still participating in the Marching Illini. I earned my Private Pilot certificate on September 19th, 2021. I am very grateful for being a 2020 recipient of the Ray Aviation Scholarship. This scholarship helped me immensely for my flight training. I am also thankful for the Zulu 3 headset that Lightspeed kindly donated to me as a Ray Scholar. I also cannot express enough gratitude for the people who have supported me through my flight training at Galt airport. Without their support I would not be celebrating this accomplishment. 

Photos: Altas (Michael) Karm is pictured with his flight instructor Beth Rehm and ground instructor Ron Friend.

EAA Chapter 932 thanks EAA Oshkosh and the Ray Foundation for the opportunity to host the Ray Aviation Scholarship.

Click HERE to find out more about the Ray Aviation Scholarship.

Atlas Karm member profiles - scholar update