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2005 Scholarship Winners The ICAS Foundation sponsors several aviation-related scholarships each year, which are awarded to recipients to either begin or further their aviation or aerobatic training. Each scholarship commemorates a loved and much-missed member of the close-knit air show community. This year, the Foundation is pleased to award scholarships to eight deserving aviators. Sean DeRosier Memorial Scholarship. Sean Paul DeRosier was a born aviator. He soloed a glider when he was 14, a power plane at 16, and began flying self-taught aerobatics at 18. He followed soon after with A&P and IA certifications. Sean lost his life in October 2004, doing what he knew and loved best - flying. The Sean DeRosier Memorial Scholarship honors Sean's spirit by assisting other young men and women in their aviation goals. The recipient must be male or female with a private pilot's license, between the ages of 18 and 31 and residing in the western United States, defined as the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada or Idaho. The scholarship provides $1,000 for aerobatic flight training or schooling towards obtaining an A&P license.
Jan Jones Memorial Scholarship. Jan Jones died May 9, 1995 from injuries sustained in an aircraft accident. She was not only a respected aerobatic pilot; she was loved for her sparkling, energetic personality, her passion for flying, and her willingness to share her knowledge with others. The Jan Jones Memorial Scholarship has been made possible through an endowment from Jan’s parents, William and Mary Jones, and other generous donors. The scholarship provides $1,000 to any female who already holds a private pilot’s license, and must be applied toward aerobatic training.
"My first summer at college I earned my private pilot certificate in just three months. After graduation, I worked for Midway Airlines as a crew scheduler. Unfortunately, Midway did not survive after September 11th. I took this opportunity to earn my dispatchers certificate in Flight Safety and work towards my Masters in Aviation. I work for Big Sky Aviation in Montana. I attended aerobatic judge’s school in anticipation of achieving Regional Judge Status. My ultimate goal is to one day instruct and perform aerobatics. This scholarship would assist me in earring my tail wheel endorsement. I feel that aerobatics helps pilots sharpen their skills as well as maintain a higher level of safety standards." French Connection Scholarship. Daniel Heligoin and Montaine Mallet together formed French Connection Airshow for over 26 years. Following their deaths during a practice session in May 2000, family members, friends and fans worked together to create a memorial fund that could be used to give, as Daniel would say, “the gift of wings.” The French Connection Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a male and a female flight instructor who need financial help acquiring aerobatic training so he or she can do a better job teaching or to seek a position giving aerobatic instruction. The scholarship provides $1,000 to be applied toward aerobatic training.
"After several years of hard work I have finally achieved my goal of becoming a flight instructor and now wish to share the excitement of aerobatic flight with my students. Shortly after graduating from high school I joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve. I have now spent six years in the U.S.M.C.R. serving as a heavy equipment engineer. Due to the time spent in military training as well as overseas in Operation Iraqi Freedom I am only now finishing my degree in Aviation Administration from Western Michigan University. Although I enjoy flying and instructing students for the other necessary licenses and ratings, my true love for flying lies in performing aerobatic maneuvers. Nothing is more exciting or inspiring than loops, inverted spins or lomcevaks. Not unlike many others attending college today I have had to personally finance both my bachelors degree as well as all of my flying. After all of the hard work it feels great that I am finally able to call myself a professional pilot and am able to make a living at a career I love." Charlie Hillard Scholarship. Charlie R. Hillard was a fiercely determined man, and throughout his life, built an amazing list of “firsts.” He bought his first airplane at age 18, became the first skydiver in the U.S. to pass a baton in a free-fall, won four National Aerobatic Championships and was the first American to win the world aerobatic title. He led the Eagles Aerobatic Flight Team for more than 25 years and then began another amazing career as a solo aerobatic pilot. Throughout his life Charlie was recognized many times for his aerobatic excellence. While he was truly key to the advancement of precision aerobatics, Charlie was also an enthusiastic contributor and volunteer in his community, particularly devoted to family and children’s causes and organizations. The Charlie Hillard Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a young man or woman age 18 to 30 who has demonstrated community involvement, and provides $1,000 to further their aviation training.
"I would like to receive the Charlie Hilliard Memorial scholarship for my mother and all the support she has shown me over the years. My father passed away when I was two years old, and mother had three of us to raise. I work during the summer to raise money for my flying. My dad's love for aviation was so strong that it was passed to me without him even being there. I was fortunate to grow up with wonderful aviators that where companions of my father, and they too showed me the wonders of flight. Even just approaching the airplane to start the walk around and prepping of the airplane brings butterflies to my stomach. . I started flying around the age of 13 with my godfather Danny Clisham and soloed at the age of 16 in a J-3 clipped wing cub out of Cackle Berry airport."
"As a member of the Arnold Air Society at school, I contribute to many service projects such as beach clean-ups, working with kids, visiting the Veterans Hospital, and many other events each year. I cannot think of something more exhilarating than strapping into an airplane and trying to challenge myself with loops, rolls, dives, stalls, and an assortment of different complicated maneuvers taking the airplane to the edge of its limits. Whether flying thousands of feet above earth’s surface practically reaching the stars or cruising so close to the ground I could reach out and grab a bluebonnet from a field of Texas wild flowers, flying gives me the ultimate adrenaline rush ever experienced by anyone who has walked the face of the earth. I felt a calling to serve my country and to help defend our freedom, and decided to enroll in the Air Force ROTC program at San Diego State University. I was the highest ranking cadet as a lower classman and will be a flight commander in the fall of 2005. I am striving each day to stay at the top of my class. My ultimate goal is to fly the best fighter aircraft in the world, the F-22 Raptor." Leo Loudenslager Scholarship. Leo Loudenslager was a seven-time winner of the United States Aerobatic Championship, and in 1980, he became the World Aerobatic Champion. His career ended on July 28, 1997 when Leo died as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. But it all began in 1964 when Leo took leave from his job as airman at Travis AFB to attend the Reno Air Races, and was inspired to become a pilot. He was entirely self-taught. Except for ground school training, he learned everything else aviation on his own, including his commercial, flight instruction and instrument licenses. The Leo Loudenslager scholarship honors Leo’s background as a military enlisted man who taught himself to fly and went on to aerobatics history. It is given in rotation to an enlisted member of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, and provides a $2,000 stipend towards flight training.
Jeremy earned his solo license flying in a Cessna 152 and 172 after being awarded a JROTC scholarship in high school. He also has flown in the back of an F-15E for 1.5 hrs. He is currently a student at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a year away from a B.S. in professional aeronautics. Jeremy’s future plans are to apply to Officer Training School and Undergraduate Pilot training. He also plans on retiring from the military hopefully with thirty plus years and then starting a career in politics. Red Barons Scholarships. The Red Barons Memorial Scholarships honor two pilots who flew the #2 and #4 positions in the squadron, Sonny Lovelace and Randy Drake who lost their lives in 1998 while performing in a charity air show to benefit the ICAS Foundation. The Red Baron Pizza Squadron promotes the thrill and excitement of flight through the use of these unique vintage aircraft by flying in aerobatic formation, bringing excitement and entertainment to thousands of spectators. The two $1,000 dollar scholarships are designed to encourage and financially assist young adults inspired by the aviation industry, who are U.S. citizens, age 16 or older, and must be used towards instruction in tail wheel aircraft operations or aerobatic flight. The recipients of the Red Barons Memorial Scholarships will be selected by a committee chaired by Kathleen (Kay) Drake, widow of Randy Drake. Kay is joined by Pat Lovelace, widow of Sonny Lovelace, and Red Baron pilots John Bowman and Bryan Regan.
"It has long been my dream to be an outstanding aerobatic air show and competition pilot. I have been rewarded with a tremendous opportunity by being allowed be apart of the Wisconsin Aviation Academy which is a non-profit organization with the goal of preparing high school students with the skills needed become a contribution to society while teaching them to fly for almost nothing. I have excelled in the program and have logged more than 50 hours in Cessna 150s, Alarus CH2000 as well as my current aircraft, the Piper Archer. I have followed the careers and have frequently communicated with many top notch aerobatic performers like Jim Leroy, Mike Goulian, and the legendary Bobby Younkin whose advice will stay with me for the rest of my life. I also contacted a number of pilots from last years Red Baron Squadron. Currently I have had two lessons and a total of 2.2 hours in the Decathlon with my instructor Dana. He frequently helps on the flight for diabetes team with Michael Hunter. He has already taught me a lot in only the two hours that we have had together. With the Red Baron Scholarship monies I plan on mastering the slow roll and to continue my training and practice for the Aurora Contest next year. By competing next spring I hope to also encourage my two younger brothers to consider a career in aviation and to go after their dreams as well."
"I am very adventurous and love a challenge. I dream of the day when I will be able to compete in aerobatic competition. By and large, aviation has always been a large part of my life, my interest truly developed at the age of 16 when I began lessons. I earned my private pilot certificate at 17 while still in school. All my flight training I have financially supported by myself working sometimes two jobs while keeping my schooling as my primary focus. I have just two life dreams. First to set up an aviation program for high school students. This program would allow the students to receive their Private certificate while accruing extra curricular credits and funding assistance from surrounding local businesses. Second, I desire to compete in aerobatic competition."
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