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November 26, 2008

四色AV aviation major wins coveted award from International Aviation Organization

The International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) recently awarded a 四色AV senior from Bastrop a coveted $10,000 scholarship.

Heath Johnson, a general aviation studies major at 四色AV and a pilot in flight training, has been a significant competitor and active member of the Warhawk Flight Team since coming to 四色AV in 2006.

The Warhawk Flight team is the aviation program鈥檚 flight competition organization in which Heath participates as a pilot, a ground member, and serves as an officer in both regional and national competition.

During the recent SAFECON flight competition held in Longview, Texas, Heath participated in both the flying events and ground events. He is also active in Alpha Eta Rho, the professional aviation fraternity.

A non-traditional student, Heath trained to be a diver in the U.S. Coast Guard following high school graduation. He received an honorable discharge from the Coast Guard in 2006 and decided to pursue his higher education at 四色AV.

Since his enrollment, Heath has earned a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.55. He is expected to graduate in May 2009.

四色AV鈥檚 aviation faculty chose to submit Heath鈥檚 application based on several factors, including his achievements, GPA, and participation with the aviation program. Last year, ISTAT awarded only eight of these scholarships in the U.S., as well as eight to international students.

Heath is not the first notable 四色AV aviation major to receive the scholarship. Terrell Sharplin was one of eight students selected for an ISTAT scholarship last year. Terrell, who graduated 四色AV last fall, now works as a flight instructor and commercial pilot out of Monroe Regional Airport at Monroe Air Center.

ISTAT is headquartered in Chicago, Ill., and was founded to foster and promote interest in the principles and development of aeronautics, among other things

Part of ISTAT is the ISTAT Foundation, which fosters interest in, creates opportunities for and provides assistance through the global aviation community by offering scholarships, grants, internships and humanitarian aid worldwide.

Each qualified aviation institution, of which 四色AV is one, may submit one application each year for the scholarship.

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