Justin’s senior photo, taken with the same plane in which Justin went flying with his grandpa

My name is Justin Roger Ormiston. My middle name is after my Grandpa Roger, who dreamed of being a pilot as a boy. I was lucky enough to have been able to fly with him when I was younger. I have always wanted to be a pilot since I flew with him, and this is what sparked my passion for aviation.

Justin flying with his Grandpa Roger

When I was able to take hold of the airplane controls, it was an exhilarating experience. As I continued my flight training, the exhilaration never faded but I felt more confident with every flight. 

The day I soloed was the most memorable part of my training so far. Going up all by myself was so exciting! The feeling of looking over and not seeing Ray, my instructor, in the passenger seat was surreal.

My favorite sight when flying has been navigating between cloud layers and seeing the different cloud formations. My friends and family have been very encouraging and enjoy all the stories I tell about my flight experiences. 

My dreams of being a pilot are becoming more attainable with every flight. With this scholarship from the North Dakota Pilots Association (NDPA), I am able to afford my pilot’s license before going to college. After I graduate, I plan to attend the Commercial Aviation program at the University of North Dakota. 

I would like to thank the NDPA for giving me the opportunity to begin my aviation journey. 

By Justin Ormiston, NDPA Flight Training Scholarship Recipient