Each year, the Chicago Executive Pilots’ Association (CEPA) gathers at Chicago Executive Airport to celebrate excellence and unity. The non-profit organization, originally known as the Palwaukee Airport Pilots Association (PAPA), was established to unite pilots based at PWK and enhance the safety and security of airport operations.
The annual Member Appreciation Dinner, held in a hangar at Chicago Executive Airport, is an event for both experienced and novice pilots. CEPA uses this occasion to promote the success of future aviators by awarding scholarships for aviation education.
These scholarships are funded by CEPA members, Chicago Executive Airport, and various local sponsors. The officers and directors of CEPA review academic applications from across the state and from pilot learners at flight schools associated with Chicago Executive Airport.
One of this year’s scholarship recipients was Maya Gronkowski, a senior at Lewis University majoring in Aviation Flight Technology with a minor in Dispatch. She was awarded an academic studies scholarship for her classroom excellence and practical experience in aviation.
Dave Klopfleisch, Mentor Pilot, Safety Officer, and Senior Flight Instructor at Chicago Executive Flight School, presented the scholarship checks. Klopfleisch has over 50 years of flying experience and is a recent recipient of the FAA Wright Brothers Award. He was assisted by CEA’s Executive Director Jeff Miller during the presentations.
In addition to the scholarship ceremony, charity flight providers such as Aviation Explorers, Civil Air Patrol, Lifeline Pilots, and Pilots & Paws were recognized for their contributions.
For more information on the Chicago Executive Pilots Association and its upcoming events, visit https://pwkpilots.org/.
