Able Flight honors new pilots

The unique and emotional event recognizes the achievements of people with physical disabilities who have become certificated pilots over the past few months.

Andrew Daigneau, Jake Simmons, Natallia Mirashnichenka, Ian Azeredo, Tyler Pugeda, Omar Duran, Jake Robinson, Jordan Sprague, and Tim Riney Jr. earned pilot certificates during an intensive training program at Purdue University and Southern Illinois University between late May and early July 2024.

The pilots were honored individually at the ceremony as recipients of scholarships provided by ForeFlight, Tempest Aero Group, Muncie Aviation, and Cirrus Aircraft. Also awarded were scholarships honoring Zack Reising (Blue 7 Scholarship), retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Adam Kisielewski, and charity volunteer pilot Mark Hogan.

For more than 18 years, Able Flight has provided full scholarships for flight training and aviation career training scholarships to people with physical disabilities. Started in 2006 by pilot Charles Stites, Able Flight was created by pilots who believe that the life-changing experience of learning to fly is best shared, and they designed the scholarship program to enable people with disabilities to pursue that experience.

This is the fourteenth year of Able Flight’s partnership with Purdue University, and its first year partnering with Southern Illinois University to provide training for scholarship recipients. It is Able Flight’s eighteenth year of providing full scholarships for flight training aviation career training scholarships. Ninety-eight pilots have earned certificates through Able Flight, including several who have earned multiple pilot certificates. Recipients have overcome obstacles such as spinal cord injuries, blindness, diabetes, cancer, and amputation.

For more information about Able Flight, visit the website.