Local Experimental Aircraft Association awards scholarship

On Saturday, Feb. 16, the San Marcos Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) awarded its first Johh Brecher Memorial Scholarship to Angel Gonzalez.

Gonzalez is a senior at McArthur High School in San Antonio. He is also in a magnet program learning aircraft maintenance and operations at the San Antonio International Airport and sponsored by Hallmark University. Gonzalez has also been actively involved in many of the San Marcos Chapter activities. He has participated in the Young Eagles flights which introduce junior ROTC students to flying with an experienced pilot in a single engine aircraft. He has also been helping Chapter member Greg with the restoration of a Cessna 150, “Little Angel,” which was donated to the Chapter last year.

The John Brecher Memorial Scholarship will allow Gonzalez to attend the EAA Advanced Air Academy workshop in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in July. Students at the Air Academy will have ground instruction, flight instruction, and classes on aircraft construction, maintenance and restoration. Workshop participants will receive a logbook and can begin to log hours towards a private pilot’s license.

John Brecher was an active member of the San Marcos EAA Chapter and promoted aviation to kids of all ages. He was an instructor with Sport Air Workshops, consultant to Texas Aircraft, former aircraft builder, pilot and technical advisor. As Coordinator for the Young Eagles program, Brecher was instrumental in involving the Junior ROTC programs of San Marcos, Lockhart, and Byron Steel high schools. He passed away in January. The scholarship was presented to Gonzalez by Mrs. John Brecher.

For more information about the San Marcos EAA Chapter 958, go to their website.