In a recent blog post, we announced that Adam Varnsand and Nick Cline won the Coast Flight Grand Aviation Scholarships. Adam was the grand prize winner, receiving a scholarship for $75,000 to cover his flight training from Private Pilot (PPL) to Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and Nick was awarded a scholarship for 50% off his flight training costs at Coast. Since receiving the exciting news of winning these scholarships, these two young men have begun the process of joining Coast’s Airline Direct Program by interviewing with Envoy Air to receive their Conditional Offers of Employment. The two interviewed with Natalie Nielsen, Envoy’s Director of Pilot Recruitment, and David Streit, Envoy’s Pilot Recruiter, on May 15th, and are planning their training start dates.

We’ll be checking in with Nick and Adam throughout their time at Coast Flight to see their progress and what they’ve been able to accomplish with this amazing scholarship opportunity. However, before they even begin, we were eager to sit down with Adam and ask him a few questions about his dream of becoming an airline pilot. Here’s what he had to say:

When did you first realize you wanted to be a professional pilot?

I’ve always had a passion for flying. The first time I realized that I wanted to make flying my profession was probably in middle school. My teacher had us research careers that we were interested in for an essay and I decided to do some research on becoming a pilot. After my research, my general admiration for flight turned into my professional goal.

What has been your favorite lesson in flight training so far?

My favorite lesson so far is the lesson on weather because an understanding of weather patterns is critical for safe flight. I found it so interesting that I did more research on weather patterns and predictions to the point where, during our most recent storm, I was following along on the radar images of the storm as it moved through and I endeavored to anticipate the path of the system.

What part of your airline career pathways are you most excited about?

I’m most excited about getting my Certified Flight Instructor Rating so that I can teach other people and share my passion for flying with others. However, I also think this will be the most difficult certification to get because not only will I have to know the information, but I’ll have to know it well enough to teach others.

As you know, pilots get great travel perks. Where is the first place you want to take a vacation once you start receiving your travel benefits, and why?

As a casual history buff, I’d like to visit culturally significant, but easily accessible historical sites. I’d love to use my passion for flight to further my interests in history around the world. Eventually, I’d like to visit every one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, including Machu Picchu and the Great Barrier Reef.

After answering our questions, we asked Adam to about his excitement for this new opportunity. He shared that he couldn’t wait to start training and was extremely grateful for the opportunity Coast Flight has given him. We have no doubt that Adam and Nick will bring a lot to the Coast Flight family, and we can’t wait to see them progress to their dream career as professional airline pilots.