Commemorative Air Force Wings Over Houston Airshow Awards Scholarships to Five College-Level Aviation Students                                                                                                                                                     

HOUSTON (October 9, 2017) – Five scholarships have been awarded by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Wings Over Houston Airshow to university students from Texas who are pursuing careers in aviation-related fields. The CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow Scholarship Program provides assistance to students who have completed two years of study in aviation or a related field and who demonstrate academic potential, leadership and extracurricular involvement.

“Each of this year’s recipients are all high achievers who share the passion and commitment to aviation, as do all of us who are associated with or perform in the CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow,” said Airshow Director Bill Roach. “When you purchase a ticket to this year’s show on October 21 and 22, you will not only see an amazing show featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and other great performers, but you also will be helping to fund our college scholarship program, programs for high school students, restoration of historical aircraft and many other local non-profit organizations.”

This year’s scholarship recipients, all from Texas, are:

  • Rodger Walter Garcia Advincula, Jr., of Katyis a senior at Louisiana Tech University, majoring in professional aviation and aviation management with a minor in business administration. Advincula is active in several organizations at Louisiana Tech, has earned his instrument pilot rating and is working towards his commercial, is serving an internship with a regional airport, and has still managed to maintain an impressive 3.97 GPA. After graduation, he intends to obtain both an MBA and a law degree, with the goal of working in professional aviation and aviation law. Advincula was also a recipient of a Wings Over Houston Airshow Scholarship in 2016.
  • Gaetan Pinjou Newou of Houstonis a senior at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Houston, majoring in aircraft mechanical engineering with a 3.88 GPA. Having already earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from Louisiana Tech University, Newou decided to pursue an additional specialized degree in preparation for a career in aviation operations. In addition to attending school full time and working part time, he also is serving with the Texas Army National Guard, assigned to helicopter maintenance at Ellington Field.
  • Walker Goodman of Crandallis a senior at California Baptist University, majoring in aviation flight with a minor in business management. Having already earned his private pilot and instrument ratings, Walker is now working on his commercial rating. After graduation, he intends to embark on a career as a professional pilot.
  • Glen Colby of Beltonis a senior at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, majoring in aerospace engineering. Colby is active in several organizations at Texas A&M, including serving as a Squadron Commander and Deputy Group Commander in the Air Force ROTC detachment, and has been ranked as the No. 1 pilot candidate. Colby was also selected for an internship at the Air Force Research Laboratory, where he worked on cyber research and UAV projects. After graduation, Colby intends to serve as an Air Force pilot, and earn a graduate degree with the ultimate goal of becoming a test pilot.
  • Ryan Stuart Carr of Austinis a senior at The University of Texas at Austin, majoring in mathematics – data analytics, probability and statistics. He is a midshipman in the Naval ROTC detachment at UT, and has held several leadership positions, including Platoon Commander, and is rated as the No. 1 Junior Midshipman. After graduation, he intends to pursue a career as a naval officer and aviator.

One of Houston’s largest non-profit civic events, the CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow proceeds are used to sponsor the Wings Over Houston Scholarship Program for college students studying for careers in aviation, Aviation Career Education (ACE) Summer Academy for high school juniors and seniors interested in aviation, Commemorative Air Force aircraft restoration and flying historical programs, Exchange Club of Sugar Land, Rotary Club, and many other area non-profit groups.

To buy tickets to the 2017 CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow, fans can save money and avoid lines by buying online at www.wingsoverhouston.comor by calling 888-4-FLYSHOW until Oct. 22.

About Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Wings Over Houston

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Wings Over Houston Airshow is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community event produced by a volunteer effort of the Gulf Coast Wing, Houston Wing, and Tora! Tora! Tora! of the Commemorative Air Force, with support from the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston, Texas Legends Flying Museum, Vietnam War Flight Museum, Lewis Air Legends and Collings Foundation West. The Airshow is dedicated to showcasing vintage World War II aircraft, along with the thrills of modern aviation. One of the top air shows in the United States in its category, the CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow attracts more than 90,000 festival goers throughout Houston as well as from around the globe. The 2017 Airshow benefits the CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow Scholarship Program, Aviation Career Education Academy, Exchange Club of Sugar Land, Westchase Rotary Club and the Commemorative Air Force aircraft restoration and flying historical programs, in addition to numerous other nonprofit participating organizations.

About the Commemorative Air Force

The Commemorative Air Force honors the men and women who built, maintained, and flew in these airplanes during World War II. The organization believes that is best accomplished by maintaining the airplanes in flying condition; taking the airplanes to the people allowing them to experience the sight and sound of the aircraft in flight.

Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force ranks as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance. A non-profit educational association, the CAF has more than 13,000 members and a fleet of 165 airplanes distributed throughout the country to 76 CAF units for care and operation. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org.