From new ratings and academic accomplishments to educational trips abroad and searching for new job opportunities, the latest group of CJP Scholars continues to excel and impress as they look toward the Summer – and beyond!
Emma Kirschenheiter
This past semester has been filled with new opportunities, lots of happiness and many new accomplishments. I cannot believe how quickly the months have gone by, and that it is over. And it is hard to believe that I am beginning my fourth and final year at Embry-Riddle this coming Fall. I have learned so much, and I cannot wait to see what my senior year brings!
I thoroughly enjoyed my classes this semester, and the workload was definitely not as intense as previous semesters, which allowed me to focus on my CFI flight training. I took three safety courses for my Aviation Safety minor and two classes for my Aeronautical Science degree. All of my classes were challenging yet rewarding in their own way.
We recently had our officer elections for the Eagles Flight Team, and I was selected to be the First Officer moving forward into the 2024-2025 school year. I cannot wait to continue working with and leading the team. Especially as a senior with a few competitions and many hours of practice under my belt. I cannot wait to teach and share what I have learned with the incoming members and even existing members. As the First Officer, I will be working hands-on with the prospective new members and running the tryout process. I really enjoy doing this and getting to know the new members. I look back to my freshman days and how new and exciting the tryout process was. I look forward to being someone that they can come to for help and advice, either in regard to the team or Embry-Riddle.
In terms of my flight training, I just finished my CFI training a few days ago and I am now a certified flight instructor. I am so grateful to have had such a good instructor and an overall great experience. I am going to be starting my CFII in the Fall, and hopefully work part time at Embry-Riddle soon. I cannot wait to start this next chapter of my life where I get to learn and instruct from the right seat instead of learning from the left seat. It is so exciting.
I am still working at the Aviation Learning Center as one of the scheduling managers. I am currently training a new assistant scheduling manager because one of my peers is graduating. And moving into the Fall 2024 semester I will be the head scheduling manager at the lab. I really enjoy working with all of the employees at the lab, and I cannot believe I am going on 3 years of working there. It has been a great experience.
And lastly, I am going to Greece for the Summer A term this year. I am taking two classes, one Aeronautical Science class and one upper level humanities class. I am going to be able to explore Aegean Airlines and travel to many islands in Greece. I am very grateful for this trip and I cannot wait for the memories I am going to make.
Jackson Nadeau
I’m from Dallas, TX and I’ve just completed my second year at Embry-Riddle. I love aviation and it is a major part of my life. At Riddle, I’m continuing to excel in and outside of the classroom, doing my best to be a great representative of Citation Jet Pilots. I’m expecting to complete my bachelor’s degree by the end of the Spring 2025 semester. I wanted to thank CJP again for this amazing scholarship and the continued support as I pursue my dream of a career in aviation. With that thank you I’d like to provide an update on my life.
2024 has been both a challenging and prosperous year for me, as a flight student and as a person. From an academic perspective I’ve been able to hold my 4.0 GPA all the way through finals. It meant burying myself in the books through the end of the semester, but I’ve never been one to shy away from hard work. In mid-April I was awarded the Runway to Business Scholarship from Solairus Aviation and got to meet with Executive Vice President Steve Foley (a.k.a. “Axel” Foley from his Blue Angels days) to discuss the award and the company. This scholarship was awarded to students who have shown the desire to pursue a career within business aviation through their application, extracurricular activities, and leadership roles.
Regarding flight training this year, I’ve completed my instrument rating and am currently working towards my commercial certificate. In April I had my long solo cross-country, in which I flew from Daytona Beach to Dothan, AL, then to Tallahassee, and back to Daytona. It was the longest solo flight I’ve completed so far, and I had a great time. The flight served as a great confidence-builder and helped me finish out the semester strong! I’ll be taking a break from flying at Riddle during the summer, in order to work as much as I can and save tuition money for next semester. When I return in the fall, I’ll be going over the commercial maneuvers and getting ready for the checkride, with the hope of completing it long before Christmas.
As I previously stated, I will be working a lot this summer, so I’ve been searching for aviation-related jobs. I’ll continue to apply to FBOs at local airports as well as seeking internships. However, if I can’t find a job in the industry for this summer, I already have a few other jobs lined up in order to keep chipping away at tuition costs. Take right now for example, I’ve been working as a salesman for a commercial landscaping company. I research prospective commercial clients in Dallas, contact them and set up meetings times and quotes. I’m also currently raising support for a ten-day mission’s trip to Puerto Rico in late June, with the church I attend in Daytona Beach. We will be working with a local church in San Juan, rebuilding a woman’s roof along with running a vacation-bible school.
Whether I’m in the flight deck, the classroom, or even Puerto Rico I will continue to work hard to represent Citation Jet Pilots to the best of my ability this year.
Lylith Turner
Hello CJP! Hope you are all doing well since we have last spoken! Since my last report, I have some exciting news… I am now a Certified Flight Instructor! This rating was tough, the transition from student to teacher was very interesting. But this new rating has helped me become more confident in my abilities and knowledge. Now, I am starting to transition from a full time student to a college graduate entering the workforce. I am currently looking for a Flight Instructor position in Daytona Beach and the surrounding area. However, I do plan to apply to Embry-Riddle when there is a full time position available! In the meantime, I am working hard to finish up my CFII and build hours towards the restricted ATP.
Looking forward to when I am RATP eligible, I have my heart set on working for NetJets for another quarter-share company flying jets. Receiving the CJP award has shown me that working for incredible companies like this is possible!
Recently, I have also been flying with a friend out of the Ocala area in their Citation. I have been fortunate enough to have flown all the way to Utah with them! This was an incredible learning experience flying into icing, mountainous terrain and hard IMC. Opportunities like this are because of the incredible organization of CJP. Each member is willing to share their experiences and knowledge with the younger generation. This trait in aviators is why I love working in aviation so much. There is always someone that knows something you do not!
Last week I officially served my last semester as treasurer of the Aviation Safety Advisory Council. Over the last two years I have watched this council go from five active members to over thirty. It has been incredibly rewarding to see this growth but also see our campus get excited about safety. When starting this club, my friends and I felt there was not enough student involvement in the safety department. Students were scared to fill out safety reports or speak out on possible unsafe events in fear of retaliation. We have worked hard to erase this stigma and have seen an increase in ASAP reports due to more student involvement. It is bittersweet leaving this organization behind, but I know the new executive board is going to continue to grow and promote safety.
As my college career comes to a close, I am very thankful of everyone that contributed to my education. Whether it was words of encouragement, advice or scholarship; I am very overwhelmed with the outstanding support from CJP and other organizations.
Amelia Vaith
In the past few months, I’ve been actively engaged in advancing my skills and knowledge in the aviation industry. I successfully completed my Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certification, enhancing my ability to teach and guide aspiring pilots. Additionally, I achieved the Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) rating, further solidifying my expertise in aviation instruction. These certifications represent personal milestones and I look forward to implementing my knowledge in my future career.
One of the highlights of my recent activities was moderating a panel discussion titled “Everything you didn’t know about business aviation: Insiders panel.” This event, in collaboration with Solairus Aviation and West Star Aviation LLC, provided valuable insights into the intricacies of business aviation. Representing the College of Aviation, I had the privilege of facilitating meaningful discussions and sharing industry perspectives with fellow aviation enthusiasts and experts. It was a rewarding experience that deepened my understanding of the business aviation landscape.
Moreover, I am excited to share that this summer, I will be embarking on a new journey as a flight instructor in my home state of Washington. This opportunity will not only allow me to apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout my education but also contribute to the next generation of aviators. Building flight hours as an instructor is a crucial step in my career path, and I am eager to make a positive impact on aspiring pilots. I am deeply thankful to the CJP scholarship committee for their unwavering support, guidance, and belief in my potential. Your investment in my education has been instrumental in shaping my success in the aviation industry, and I am committed to continuing to excel and contribute positively to the field.