The EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship program that is funded by the Ray Foundation, managed by EAA, and administered through the EAA Chapters network. Through the generous support of the Ray Foundation, EAA provides funding to deserving youths to help cover their flight training expenses.

2023   Jonah Feyen

In October, 2023, the Chapter selected its most recent Ray Aviation Scholarship recipient.  Jonah has been training regularly since November, 2023, and has encountered some of the typical setbacks to an aggressive training schedule, weather and maintainence.  Jonah has also had some challenges that have really tested his determination to be an aviator.  One of the goals of the Ray program is to encourag the development of life skills like self-discipline, self-confidence, and responsibility and it has been motivating to watch Jonah enhance his confidence with the airplane and aviation. Here’s his latest update:

Flying has been slower than I would have liked. The winter weather has still kept me from my solo cross country. But in the time I have spent looking out the window wishing I could fly, I have continued moving forward by hitting the books hard and studying for my oral exam. I have also been working on checking all the boxes on the acs by practicing air work and getting everything up to standards. As the weather improves, things will start to pick up a lot. I am so very grateful for the continued support from the chapter and from the RAY foundation.

Thank you!

2022   Arian Rice

Arian Rice, successfully passed his FAA checkride in July 2023, completing his journey to become a private pilot.

2021   Owen Robinson

Owen was the Chapter’s scholarship recipient for 2021 and successfully passed his check ride in May of 2022. Here is what he’s been up to:

My license to fly was the first step in my journey of pursuing a Marine Corps military aviation career. I wanted to earn a degree in Professional Flight and specifically wanted to attend the University of Purdue. Purdue has three elements I wanted for my college experience: it is a big 10 school, with an aviation program, and a Navy ROTC program. I worked hard with the Marine Corps recruiters prepping for the physical and mental challenge of passing the NROTC/Marine Corps option scholarship requirements. In March of 2023 I learned I had the won the scholarship – and, to top it off, to my #1 school of choice, Purdue.

I am two months away in completing my sophomore year. Freshman year I became IFR rated and began commercial flight. I expect to get that rating in May 2025. I was excited to summit the 200-hour milestone in February.

At the start of Junior year, I will move on to multi-engine and then turbine aircraft. I am currently studying for the Aviation Selection Test Battery exam (ASTB). The score combined with additional medical tests, and an in-person interview will determine if I get my Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) as a Marine Corps aviator. I will know if I get accepted into my MOS during my junior year of college.  I think this picture should make me a shoe-in.

2020   Matthew Romuald

Matthew Romuald successfully earned his Private Pilot license on February 2nd, 2021 after navigating multiple weather-related reschedulings of his checkride. His oral exam went well, though the practical flight portion was postponed due to gusty winds.  Despite the frustrations of multiple delays and the pressure of the examination, Matthew's thorough preparation and perseverance ultimately led to his achievement of becoming a Private Pilot.  Matthew offers his thanks to the Chapter for our support of his efforts:

Dear Members of EAA Chapter 18,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the Ray Aviation Scholarship I was awarded by EAA Chapter 18 in 2020, which enabled me to obtain my private pilot license. The chapter’s support played a crucial role in jumpstarting my aviation journey, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that followed.

After earning my private pilot certificate, I continued my training by attending Fox Valley Technical College’s Professional Pilot program. This experience allowed me to further develop my skills and ultimately achieve my goal of becoming a flight instructor and commercial pilot.

I currently hold ratings as CFI, CFI-I, MEI. It has been an incredible journey, and I am excited to now be in a position where I can help others pursue their own aviation dreams—just as you all have helped me.

Chapter 18 has continued to support aspiring pilots by awarding multiple Ray Aviation Scholarships after I was selected as I was chosen as your inaugural recipient. This ongoing commitment to fostering the next generation of aviators is truly inspiring, and I am honored to be part of a community that believes in paying it forward.

As a token of my appreciation, I would like to give back to the chapter by offering complimentary flight reviews and instrument proficiency checks to EAA Chapter 18 members (in your airplane). This is a small way for me to say thank you and contribute to the community that supported my early aviation endeavors.

I look forward to staying connected with the chapter and giving back in any way I can. I hope to see you at the next Young Eagles event. Please reach out to coordinate any details regarding the flight reviews and IPCs.

Blue skies and tailwinds,
Matthew Romuald

2019   Noah Schwab

At the November 2018 Chapter gathering, a gaggle of EAA HQ people presented anumber of new EAA programs. One of which was the Ray Scholarship, to which the Ray Aviation Foundation would donate to EAA and AOPA $1,000,000 each year in the form of 100 $10,000 grants for a teenager (16 to 19 years old) to earn their PPL certificate. The Home Office encouraged Chapter 18 to apply to be one of the Chapters to administer a Ray Scholarship. One of the Chapter 18 members present at that meeting was Noah Schwab.

Chapter 18 submitted and the application was not selected. After Chapter 18 was not selected, Noah applied thru AOPA and on June 5, 2019 was awarded the scholarship. On June 10, 2019, working with Ken Reese at Capital Drive Airport (02C), Noah started an intense flight training program (remember Georgia Tech Aug 12). Taking as many as three lessons a day, Noah soloed on July 10, 2019.

After taking Sporty’s Ground School, more training flights, cross country flights, and then solo flights,Noah passed his written test on August 6, 2019. On August 8, 2019 Noah did a solo cross-country to Waupaca Airport (KPCZ), then flew his Private Pilot Checkride, and returned to Capital a private pilot.Two days later he left for Georgia.

As a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Noah is now a revenue management inventory analyst at Alaska Airlines. His responsibilities include inventory market ownership for diverse marketsets of flights producing +$300 million in annual passenger coupon revenue. He also participates as a member of the revenue management automation subteam.