By Scholarship Recipient Kathryn Bremer
I was born and raised in Key West, where I lived my entire life until 2022. My love for aviation began on the ground, but everything changed when I took my first eco-discovery flight at the Marathon Airport. That experience transformed my passion for aviation and gave me a new perspective from behind the flight controls.
When I moved to St. Pete in 2022, it was with the sole purpose of pursuing a career in aviation. While working in sales, one of my clients mentioned a scholarship she saw on Instagram (or another social media platform). I knew aviation was meant to be part of my life, so I applied. I was absolutely shocked and thrilled to learn that I had been selected.
Balancing a full-time job while also pursuing a career in aviation has been challenging. The scholarship has been a tremendous help in covering the costs of lessons, and I genuinely don’t think I could have done this without the support of the Friends of Albert Whitted Airport community and its founders.
My ultimate dream is to become a Certified Flight Instructor. While the idea of being a commercial pilot is appealing, I feel that being a CFI aligns more closely with my aspirations. For me, being a CFI is about more than just earning hours—it’s about helping others achieve their goals. I’ve always enjoyed leading teams in my work life, and I think I would thrive in guiding like-minded individuals toward their dreams. Your first flight in a small plane is something you never forget, and I want to make that experience as memorable for others as it was for me.
I absolutely love the Albert Whitted community. It’s such a special group of people, and the events, emails, and connections we share make it truly unique. Walt (Driggers) has been especially pivotal in my aviation journey, whether he realizes it or not. Receiving that email about winning the scholarship and then the follow-up phone call inviting us to the BBQ to connect—it’s all part of what makes this community irreplaceable.
If I could give myself advice, it would be to dream big and not be afraid to chase blue skies and tailwinds. Oh, and stalls aren’t as scary as they seem—you just have to push through them!
Thank you so much for the opportunity and your continued support!
