PATHWAY: Abby Donofrio Hello! My name is Abby Donofrio and I have the pleasure of getting to share my story with you. I am a 17 year old student pilot from Wadsworth, Ohio. I have just entered my senior year of high school while simultaneously attending flight school. My home airport is 3G3, where I am a student at Aerotrek Flight Academy. Aviation is something that I have a passion for beyond what words could describe, and it has absolutely changed my life. There is pure excitement to fly from the time you pull the plane out of the hangar, to the moment you say clear prop, and the second that airspeed comes alive. I find joy in the feeling of
freedom you get the second you lift off the ground. When I was first given the opportunity to fly a plane I couldn’t help but smile the second we took off. Flying is something you need to experience to understand what it is like. Aviation is an amazing thing that helps open your eyes to seeing the world in a different perspective. I didn’t always have an interest in aviation though. It wasn’t until this past year that I became more involved in the aviation community and developed a further interest in becoming a pilot. I grew up with friends who were regularly at the airport and active members of our local EAA Chapter (846). Seeing other people getting their pilots license inspired me to begin my own journey. Last year I went to Aerotrek Flight Academy to ask questions and consult with others about becoming a pilot. I met another woman who is now a Private Pilot (IFR) and I got to talk to her about aviation, and she truly inspired me to pursue it. I quickly scheduled a discovery flight and got to take control for the first time. I had been on plane rides with my friends before, but it wasn’t the same feeling as getting to sit in the left seat. After that first flight, I knew in that moment that I wanted to be a pilot. Shortly after, I made the decision to join the EAA Chapter 846 and get involved in the Young Eagles Program. This was a beneficial way for me to begin my training. I started training in August of 2020 and I fly a Cessna 150 and Cessna 172. I flew about once every other week which eventually led me to my first solo flight, which I completed in just under 10 hours. This was a major accomplishment and milestone. Continuing my training through the winter, the opportunity to apply for the EAA’s Ray Scholarship became available through my Chapter. Through my active participation and strong passion for aviation, I was awarded the scholarship in April. I could not be more gratified and thankful for the support of other aviators and those who selected me as a recipient. Receiving the scholarship, I had the amazing
By: Abby Donofrio
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