For Braelynn Bolger, aviation is more than just flying—it’s a way to make a difference in people’s lives. Growing up in Riverview, Florida, she was surrounded by aviation from an early age. Her father, a former lineman at Bay Air at Albert Whitted Airport, shared stories of flying that fueled her fascination with the skies. She spent her childhood attending airshows at MacDill Air Force Base and Sun ’n Fun, where she met inspiring pilots who showed her what was possible. But it wasn’t until she sat in the backseat of a plane in 2022, watching her father regain his currency, that she knew she had to pursue flight training herself.
Now, as a double major in Biology and Chemistry at the University of Tampa, Braelynn is balancing her pre-medical studies with her aviation training. With a passion for both flying and medicine, she envisions a future where she can use her pilot’s license to bring healthcare to underserved communities. The FOAWA scholarship has played a crucial role in making that vision a reality.
A Scholarship That Opened the Skies
Braelynn first learned about the FOAWA scholarship through her aunt, who found it on Facebook. She wasted no time applying, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to blend her love for aviation with her mission to make healthcare more accessible. Receiving the scholarship meant more than just financial support—it allowed her to continue training without sacrificing the demanding schedule of a pre-med student.
“As a double major studying to become a physician, scheduling has been one of my biggest challenges,” she explains. “If I had to work extra hours to afford flight lessons, I wouldn’t have had the time to fly.”
The scholarship not only eased the financial burden but also gave her an unexpected gift—an outlet to relieve stress. In the air, her mind clears, and the pressures of school fade away. Flying, she says, has become her sanctuary.
Lessons in the Air and on the Ground
Every step of Braelynn’s flight training has reinforced her belief that aviation will play a vital role in her career. The most exciting part for her is knowing that she is working toward helping others. She recently experienced the impact of aviation firsthand when she flew with a transplant team to Atlanta, Georgia, to transport a heart back to Gainesville for a 16-year-old patient awaiting surgery. That mission solidified her commitment to using aviation as a tool for good.
One of her most memorable moments in training was her solo cross-country flight. Nervous at first, she quickly settled in once she reached altitude, realizing that this was just the beginning of a lifelong journey. “It was the first time I truly felt like a pilot,” she recalls.
Through aviation, she has also learned valuable lessons about herself—most importantly, that she knows more than she gives herself credit for. “I’ve trained relentlessly to get to where I am today,” she says. “It’s important to have a healthy sense of caution, but I’ve learned that I can trust myself and still have fun in the process.”
Aviation and Medicine: A Mission to Serve
Braelynn’s long-term goal is to become an IFR-certified pilot, allowing her to fly in a wider range of conditions safely. Her passion for medicine and aviation came together during a recent mission trip to Jamaica with the Cardiac Kids Foundation of Florida. Alongside a team led by Dr. Jeffrey Jacobs, she witnessed the harsh reality of inaccessible healthcare. In just five days, the team performed 14 life-saving cardiac surgeries on children whose families had traveled great distances for treatment.
The experience reaffirmed her desire to use aviation to bridge the gap in medical accessibility. “Families were often unable to visit their children after surgery because they lived too far away,” she explains. “That mission showed me how critical it is to bring healthcare to those who need it, rather than making them travel to us.”
A Community That Lifts Her Up
Albert Whitted Airport and the FOAWA community have been an unwavering source of support for Braelynn. Every time she walks into St. Pete Air, she is greeted with warmth and encouragement. The sense of camaraderie reminds her why she fell in love with aviation in the first place.
“Aviation isn’t just about flying—it’s about the people who help you along the way,” she says. “FOAWA has given me more than just financial assistance; they’ve given me a family that cheers me on every step of the way.”
She hopes to pay that support forward by inspiring others, particularly those who believe aviation is out of reach. Whether it’s financial struggles or time constraints, she wants aspiring pilots to know that there are people and opportunities that can help. She encourages future FOAWA scholarship applicants to dive headfirst into aviation, embrace the journey, and take full advantage of the incredible community that aviation fosters.
Looking Ahead: A Future of Possibilities
As Braelynn continues her flight training, she carries with her a personal mantra: “It is your path and your path alone; others may walk it with you, but nobody can walk it for you.”
These words comforted her before her first solo flight and continue to remind her that every step forward is her own to take.
She sees striking parallels between aviation and medicine, especially in the discipline of following checklists. Just as a surgeon relies on meticulous procedures to ensure a patient’s safety, a pilot must follow protocols to keep themselves and others out of harm’s way. Both professions require precision, focus, and the ability to remain calm under pressure—skills she is honing with every flight.
Looking back, she would tell her younger self to embrace aviation fully and to trust in her own abilities. “Being confident in yourself and your skills will take you much further than being nervous when there’s no reason to be.”
For Braelynn, aviation is exhilarating, freeing, and deeply fulfilling. It’s a journey that has already taken her to incredible heights—both literally and figuratively—and she’s only just getting started.
