Kyle Rairdan Memorial Aviation Scholarship

Ever since I was a little girl I was fascinated with flying. I grew up at Travis AFB, CA. I watched my Dad put on his uniform and proudly go to work for 30 years. I would go out to the base with him at times and watch the crews and planes arrive and depart. I attended many airshows, and had a chance to see family and teamwork on a regular basis. For my family, growing up under the American flag was a proud way of life. The work my parents did was honorable and had purpose. Flying is a long tradition in my family….over 100 years of military flight experience. My Dad and 2 uncles flew KC-10s in the 79ARS, my cousin is currently flying KC-10s as well, 1 uncle flies KC-135s in the Nebraska Air National Guard and my brother is at pilot training in Del Rio, Texas….and the tradition continues. I started my private pilot’s license in March of 2020….the beginning of my dream. I am currently a certified flight instructor at the University of Oklahoma, working towards my instrument instructor rating. I am currently employed at Envoy Airlines as a cadet instructor. Upon reaching my 1000 hours, I will be headed to the airlines. The plan is to hopefully be working for a legacy carrier by the time I am 25, as well as potentially being a military aviator. My goal is to fly the F-22 or F-35 because as any pilot knows, flying straight and level is not very entertaining. My father is a retired Air Force pilot, and also a current American Airlines captain. He was the one who inspired me to pursue my aviation career. From the time I was a little girl, he was always in the sky whether he was TDY with his reserve buddies or flying an airline trip, he was one with the sky. He was the one who pushed me to try aviation, he bought me my first discovery flight as a junior in high school. From that point on I understood why, he wanted to be in the sky. Throughout my duration at OU in flight school, he was always there to answer calls and questions regarding different aspects of aviation. What really inspired me was the morning of my instrument checkride the winds were high. I called him that morning at 7 am and he told me he believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. I went out and I passed my checkride and he was the first person I called to tell the good news. He said he never had a doubt. Now today I have a screenshot of the text he sent me, I printed it out and I carry it in my flight bag with me wherever I go. He inspired me to follow my dreams, and to become the first female aviator in the Williams family. Community involvement has been something very important that has been instilled in me as a child. My community involvement has mainly revolved around different military events. For example, Operation Backpack where I would hand out school supplies to the less fortunate. Operation Cookie Drop where I would bake cookies and distribute them to the single airmen at Travis Air Force Base. The most rewarding community service event I have ever done was Special Olympics. I had a little boy name, Finn, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and I taught him how to swim. Seeing the excitement on his face was one of the most rewarding experiences.

My name is Javier Fernandez, I am currently a freshman attending Jacksonville University pursuing a degree in Aviation. As a kid, I was always amazed when I looked up and saw an aircraft in the sky. I lived right near an airport, so I got to see them every day. And growing up I was always fantasizing about being an airline pilot. I can't wait to be in the left seat of an Airbus A320 and be able to safely fly civilians to their desired destination. I always enjoyed helping people as I was growing up, there's nothing better than seeing the smile on someone's face after you've helped them. It gives you this warm feeling inside, the same warm feeling I get when I smoothly land a Cessna 172 on the runway. Nobody in my family has gone to college, so I am the first to go. I am also the oldest, I have to pave a path for my two sisters and brother to follow. They have always looked up to me, and I am determined to reach my goal of being an airline pilot. Just so I can be the hero they have always thought I was. My father was the person that helped me take the final step in pursuing aviation. When it came time to apply for colleges he pointed out the idea of actually being an airline pilot. I had always fantasized about it up to this point, but I never actually thought it was possible because of the amount of money it takes to do so. My family doesn't come from wealth but by pursuing my degree in aviation I will be able to break that cycle and help put the rest of my siblings through college. The ways I have been involved in my community stretch from picking up trash I see on the sidewalks, and at the beach, to volunteering at my small-town events. The most memorable event I volunteered at was a color run for my elementary school, I was in high school at the time, and I got the opportunity to help out at this event. At first, the event started with everyone lined up at the starting line, and my job was to throw these little color packets at the kids while they raced around the field. It would make such a mess, but their faces would light up with happiness. Then the kids would throw color at the adults overall it was a great time. Then it was time to cook the burgers and hot dogs that everyone was going to eat. That was a great day, everyone involved had a huge smile on their face the whole time. Even at the end when we had to clean up the mess from five hundred elementary school kids. That was just one of the memorable times I've helped in the community. I wanted to spend my last few words expressing my condolences for Kyle, I know how hard it is to lose a family member from experience. I greatly appreciate this opportunity you have given me to apply for this scholarship.