Flying high….

Connor has his wings now....

At this year’s graduation ceremony at Friday Harbor High, I was thinking how proud the late John Volk would have been to know that Conner Johns received the scholarship named after him – Conner is the kind of great person who is a positive, bright light, and you would find him absolutely trustworthy…this is a young man who is going places.

Last week his proud mom Lisa called to tell me – wow! – he’s gotten his pilot’s license. Wahoo! Here’s more from Will Hamilton:

Conner Johns is New Pilot and SJPA Member

Conner Johns passed his private pilot check ride this month and at 17 is now the youngest member of the San Juan Pilots Association. Conner recently graduated from Friday Harbor High School and plans to attend Carroll College in Helena, Montana with an interest in International Business. During this summer he will be helping his Mom and Dad run their family-owned Fishing Bear Lodge located 80-miles north of Dillingham, Alaska where his Dad flies a Maule on floats for their guided fishing and hunting trips.

Conner was the recipient of both the Airhawk and the SJPA John Volk Memorial Scholarships. He credits Bob Jamieson for sparking his interest in aviation as well as for his tireless support throughout his training. Conner was also fortunate to have Jim Gruneisen as an instructor, as when he’s not flying for Island Air, Jim provides personalized flight training programs and regularly conducts pilot proficiency programs around the country (see www.flyjim.com ). In fact, John Glenn recently attended one of Jim’s classes so young Conner was certainly well-mentored and very much supported by our local aviation community.

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