CARBONDALE, Ill. (WSIL) -- Southern Illinois University is making strides in aviation accessibility for aspiring pilots with disabilities. The university is hosting the 2025 class of Able Flight, marking its second year in partnership with the nonprofit program.
Since May, students have been engaged in intensive flight training, thanks to scholarships from Able Flight. They are working towards earning Sport Pilot certificates, which allow them to operate aircraft without physical disability barriers.
Ronny Ahmed, a student from Tallahassee, Florida, is pursuing his pilot certificate 10 years after his injury. He says the support from instructors has been crucial to his experience.
Ahmed described the program as groundbreaking, emphasizing the scholarships and support provided throughout the eight-week program. "There could be a lot of incredible changes nationally and even globally that can happen from programs like this," Ahmed said.
Since its founding in 2006, has awarded over 130 scholarships and helped 98 individuals, including 25 veterans, earn pilot certificates.
The current group of five students at SIU is expected to finish their training by late June or early July, weather permitting. Instructors are optimistic about the program's growth at SIU.
"Based on the success of last year, Able Flight felt comfortable to sign a partnership with us," Victoria Mathieu, Associate Instructor, said. "We want to take it beyond the seven years, just keep doing it as long as we can."
