What is AviNation’s Rising Star Program?
AviNation’s Rising Star is a recognition program designed to empower and elevate a current student that has a passion for aviation and wants to pursue an education and or career in the industry.
AviNation gets industry support for this program. The industry sponsor celebrates the students accomplishments and each sponsor provides the Start Student with swag or some kind of aviation takeaway.
Luke Pylypciw
Florida Institute of Technology
Melbourne, FL
Luke Pylypciw is an aviator, entrepreneur, and the visionary behind his latest venture, SKYSCHOLAR, a consulting firm dedicated to empowering the next generation of pilots through education and expert-driven advising.
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Ava Shelly
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Ava discovered her passion for aviation at just 10 years old. From her very first flight lesson, she knew the sky was where she belonged. Driven by curiosity and determination, she poured countless hours into flying, studying, and challenging herself to grow as a pilot.
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Alexandra David
Rocky Mountain College, Professional Aviation Degree Program
Billings, MT
Some of my greatest accomplishments are that I completed my private pilot’s license during high school and went into college with my license in hand. This allowed me to complete my instrument rating in the first semester at Rocky Mountain College. The following spring semester I completed a third of the commercial rating as a freshman and passed my commercial pilot written before summer break.
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Dylan Collins
Crestwood High School
Mountain Top, PA
Dylan researched career paths that matched his personality and quickly realized he might want to be a pilot. At age 15, he took a discovery flight and immediately fell in love. Despite weather delays, school, work, and travel hockey, he pushed through and earned his PPL at age 17—while also completing 12 college credits his senior year.
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Savanna Hunter
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
Tulsa, OK
Savanna discovered her love for aviation at the Tango Thirty One Aero Clube in McKinney, TX. With mentorship from Kevin Lacey, she earned her private pilot certificate and gained valuable A&P experience—all before graduating high school.
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Naman Patel
Sophomore, Collierville High School
Collierville, Tennessee
I was always curious about aviation and wanted to become a pilot. I am currently enrolled in my high school aviation program and on track to get my Private Pilot License. I plan to go to college, complete my commercial pilot certification, and pursue a career with the airlines.
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Connor Mullen
Senior, Greenville CSD and Questar III Donald R. Kline Technical School
Surprise, New York
I am Connor Mullen, a high school senior with a passion for aviation. My aviation journey began through radio-controlled airplanes, which sparked my deeper interest in full-scale aviation.
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Isaac Baxcajay
Junior, Central Florida Aerospace Academy
Lakeland, Florida
I have been around aviation since childhood—hearing stories from my grandparents who flew gliders in the mountains and watching my mother build her aviation maintenance business. Aviation has always been part of my life.
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Ben Haapanen
Senior, Westosha Central High School
Bristol, Wisconsin
Ben’s love for aviation began early. He grew up watching World War II movies and quickly learned to identify nearly every military jet ever flown. His dream is to fly an AH-64 Apache or UH-60 Black Hawk for the U.S. Army.
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Thomas Wilke
Senior, Greenville Technical Charter High School
Greenville, South Carolina
I started my journey with an introductory flight from a local flight school. I later earned a scholarship from Triple Tree Aerodrome, which helped me prepare for my PPL checkride.
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Peyton Cunningham
Junior, Tullahoma High School
Tennessee
I first caught the aviation bug in fourth grade when I flew to Boston. The pilots let me see the flight deck, and the inflight system showed altitude and speed. From that moment, I was hooked.
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Gaurang Nandedkar
Liberty University School of Aeronautics
Collierville, TN
My aviation journey began in my junior year when I attended the National Flight Academy in Pensacola, FL. Within three days, I knew aviation was the right career for me.
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Nick Poucher
Skydive Space Center
Titusville, FL
Nick is a commercial pilot and CFI with multi-engine, tailwheel, high-performance, complex, and single-engine sea endorsements—and over 1,100 flight hours. He currently flies a King Air C-90 to drop skydivers at 18,000 ft.
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Reece Mangrum
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
Hennessey, OK
I’ve always been fascinated with aircraft—watching jets from Vance AFB and crop dusters over my hometown. I knew I needed to be the one flying someday.
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Ethan Hebert
Humble, TX
Ethan has been fascinated with aviation since childhood—Wings Over Houston airshows, hang gliding at 10, and joining Civil Air Patrol at 14. His curiosity about flight physics has only grown stronger over the years.
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Michael Shepelenko
Anson Air Aviation
Sugar Land, TX
My first flight was at just three months old. At 16, I completed my first solo and cross-country solo. At 17, I earned my PPL as a junior in high school. My future plans include USAF, USNA, or pursuing a commercial aviation degree.
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Jacob Phillips
Senior, Central Florida Aerospace Academy
Lakeland, Florida
I joined the Aerospace program in 6th grade. After training on simulators, I realized flying was something I wanted for life. I later learned about Central Florida Aerospace Academy and continued my journey there.
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Kyle Kerr
Junior, DW Daniel High School
Central, South Carolina
My love for aviation began at six years old after my first private aircraft ride. Later, participating in the Young Eagles Program made me even more determined to pursue flying.
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Matilda Gunsalus
Junior, Heavenbound Aviation
Zanesville, Ohio
Matilda began working with us as an intern at 15. She is training in our Taylorcraft and will transition to a modern Aeroprakt to complete her PPL. She is hardworking, intelligent, and dedicated.
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Alexander Sawyer
Senior, Central Florida Aerospace Academy
Lakeland, Florida
After watching the Blue Angels at Sun N’ Fun, I knew I wanted to be a pilot. I soloed a glider at 15 and earned my PPL at 17. My goal is to get my ATP and fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
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Who is Eligible?
Any current middle, high school, collegiate or flight school student that is between the ages of 12-24 years old that has an interest in pursuing aviation as a career.
It does not matter what the student wants to do when they complete their training.
We accept all pathways into aviation, not just pilots or mechanics, we want to hear all stories!
Stars must be nominated through the online form to be considered.
How Do I apply?
Fill in as much of the form below as you can and upload 3-5 photos to be considered for nomination of the AviNation Rising Star Program. Any correspondence or follow up can be directed to jacob@avinationusa.com and include “Rising Star” in the subject line.
If your school or organization does not have a blanket release for pictures and information, the submitter will be required to download and send the Digital Release form to the Student’s parents/guardians to fill out and send back.
Where will it be seen?
The post will be distributed on Aviation Supplies & Academics Facebook and Instagram and AviNation’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and will be included in our monthly E-Newsletter (71k recipients).
Rising Star Program Nomination Form
Use form to submit nominations to the AviNation Rising Star Program.
