Tyler Orsow/Chuck Kimes Memorial Seaplane Rating Scholarship

Scholarship Name:

Purpose:

The scholarship is intended to introduce aspiring professional pilots to the world of seaplane flying. It is maintained by the Seaplane Pilots Foundation (a 501-C3 non-profit organization), and donations to the fund are fully tax deductible. Each scholarship will fund a complete seaplane training program for a single-engine sea rating.

Eligibility:

ligibility: Applicants should be 17 to 35 years of age and actively pursuing a career as a professional pilot. In order to be eligible, applicants must have a private pilot certificate, be a current paid SPA member, possess a current bi-annual and have at least a third class medical certificate. All applicants must be US citizens.

Value:

Fully paid seaplane ratings.

Application Submission Process and Completion Date:

Application Deadline: Scholarships are awarded at multiple aviation events throughout the year, thus there is no specific deadline for applications. Exception: Specific scholarship awards at events such as, but not limited to the Northwest Aviation Conference, Great Alaska Aviation Gathering, and at Oshkosh where SPA will award scholarships at the event from a pool of applications received at the event.

Application:

Fill out the Application online

History/Background:

This scholarship was established honoring the memory of Tyler Oslow And Chuck Kimes, two truly outstanding seaplane pilots that passed in 2011. The scholarship is intended to introduce aspiring professional pilots to the world of seaplane flying. It is maintained by the Seaplane Pilots Foundation (a 501-C3 non-profit organization), and donations to the fund are fully tax deductible. Each scholarship will fund a complete seaplane training program for a single-engine sea rating.

Tyler Oslow, an optimistic and exuberant young man, always had a penchant for aviation. As a young child, planes fascinated him, and by the age of thirteen, he began building an experimental that he completed w days before his sixteenth birthday. Two days later he soloed this and five others, the first being a Super Cub on floats. He went on to receive his glider license, commercial certificates, CFI, MEI, and A&P certificates. Tyler was an MES instructor for Sierra Seaplanes, worked for Chuck Kimes at the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base. He also was very active ferrying a myriad of vintage and experimental aircraft cross-country for new owners. Tyler was a remarkably gifted pilot and an unassuming, cheerful presence, ready to joke with anyone he met.

Chuck Kimes had a storied history in aviation. His father, a Pan Am career captain, exposed him to aviation and the world throughout his youth. Chuck worked for many aviation enterprises including Antilles Airboats, South Central Air Transport, Apollo Airways, and Continental Airlines, before starting with American Airlines in 1984.

Chuck had a 27-year career as an American Airlines captain, eventually flying the 777 to London and Japan. His private interests were instructing in the Albatross, running the Albatross training at the USAF Test Pilots School Edwards Air Force Base, flying his Stinson on floats, and organizing splash-in events. Chuck had endless energy and a zest for life. He touched countless lives as a friend to many, a volunteer for more, and a mentor to the extremely lucky.

A ferry flight incident, that occurred in a one of a kind, highly modified seaplane took the lives of these pilots in the Middle East in the Spring of 2011.