Kansas State University

Source: Jan Burton, 214-632-6289, janburton@me.com
Websites: http://www.salina.k-state.edu
and http://burtonaviationfoundation.org
Hometown connection/news tip: Salina, WaKeeney and Wichita

Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012

Piloting success: Aviation students get boost from Connor Burton Aviation Foundation scholarships

SALINA -- Three more students in Kansas State University's professional pilot program have landed scholarships from the Connor Burton Aviation Foundation.

It's the fourth group of students from K-State Salina to receive the elite award. The students, all juniors, were awarded $10,000 scholarships to be split between their junior and senior years. The recipients are: John Snyder, Salina; James Schreiner, WaKeeney; and Lee Anderson, Wichita.

The scholarship money can be used to pay for flying time or books and tuition, enabling the students to earn their flight certificates more quickly.

"This scholarship will allow me to earn additional ratings and licenses that I wouldn't have been able to afford before," said Anderson, who commutes from Wichita -- a 180-mile round-trip -- to attend classes.

"K-State's program is really one of the most affordable, but it's nice to have the help to reduce my out-of-pocket expense as I work toward the ratings I need. I've narrowed down my career path to corporate flying or medical evacuation flying, and I'm learning the skills I'll need for either one in my classes," Schreiner said.

"I'm in Certified Flight Instructor ground school and without the Burton Foundation, I wouldn't be as far in my ratings as I am today," Snyder said. "Because of the foundation's aid, I have been able to accumulate many flight hours towards my flight ratings and licenses, which are my steppingstones into the industry."