Ethan Kastenberg, 12, has been awarded Channel Islands Aviation’s 2014 Youth Aviation Academy scholarship.
The scholarship will allow Ethan, who just finished 6th grade at Medea Creek Middle School in Oak Park, to attend the three-day Youth Aviation Academy summer camp this month and explore his passion for aviation.
“My first airplane ride was to Monterey with my mother,” Ethan said in his winning scholarship essay. “Though I don’t remember anything of this trip, I was told that I was very fascinated by flying. I began to memorize airlines and learn about aviation.”
“I’d like to go to this camp even if I don’t get a scholarship, because I will get to learn about something I am passionate about,” said Ethan, who also competes as an elite high jumper, is an honor student and plays piano.
During the annual Youth Aviation Academy, teens will learn from aviation professionals and guest speakers about aviation careers, aero dynamic, aviation weather, air traffic control, airport diagrams, aviation history and more.
“Our industry is booming, and we need more young people interested in aviation careers,” said Sarah Oberman Bartush, flight school manager at Channel Islands Aviation. “Our Youth Academy is the perfect opportunity for their dreams to take flight.”
Basic Aviation Academy is held 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. June 18 – 20 and July 9 – 11 at the Camarillo Airport, 305 Durley Avenue in Camarillo.
Advanced Aviation Academy is held 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. June 25 – 27 and July 16 – 19 at the Camarillo Airport.
A pizza and graduation party will follow the Friday session every week.
This is Channel Island Aviation’s 3rd year running the Aviation Academy, which it started to help curb the forecasted pilot shortage. Due to the pilot shortage, which is already here according to a recent Wall Street Journal article, CIA has partnered with SkyWest Airlines in a Pilot Cadet program separate from the annual Youth Aviation Academy.
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Channel Islands Aviation, based in Camarillo, Calif., provides private and professional flight training, aircraft sales and rentals, charter flights, FBO services and more. For more information on CIA, call 805-987-1301 or visit www.flycia.com.
Ethan Kastenberg, 12, receives scholarship from Sarah Oberman Bartush, flight school manager.
Publicity in Ventura County Star.