Anthony Trujillo awarded Tulare County Sheriff’s Aero Squadron scholarship

Anthony Trujillo of Visalia received a $500 Aviation Scholarship from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Aero Squadron to help him complete aviation ground school before starting hands-on pilot training.

Trujillo graduated from Redwood High School in June. The University of Arizona freshman majors in aviation and is enrolled in the U.S. Army’s Reserve Officer Training Corps with the hopes of becoming an aviator in the U.S. Army and earn a commission as an officer. Eventually, Trujillo would also like to become a flight instructor so he can spread his love of flying to others, he said.

“Anthony has been a highly focused individual in his education and in the Civil Air Patrol where he was an Outstanding Cadet,” said James Chavez, president and former Army aviator. “He shows great promise in achieving his goals in aviation.”

The Sheriff’s Aero Squadron is a volunteer organization that trains volunteer pilots and aerial observers for air searches and message drops. Volunteer pilots are licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration, while aerial observers help pilots during search and rescue training and operations.

Members of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Aero Squadron attend search and rescue readiness training monthly and practice aerial search exercises annually.

“I knew that I would rather spend most of my time up in the air [as] opposed to staying on the ground,” Trujillo said. Trujillo’s love of flying began in 2013 when he went on a couple of orientation flights with the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.

Aero Squadron scholarships are available to high school and college age individuals who want to make a career in general & commercial aviation, professional aircraft maintenance, professional piloting or military aviation.

For more information on how to apply for an Aero Squadron Aviation Scholarship or to find out more about the Tulare County Sheriff’s Aero Squadron, contact James Chavez at 559-967-9148 or jjchavez@co.tulare.ca.us.

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 9:26 PM with the headline "Anthony Trujillo awarded Tulare County Sheriff’s Aero Squadron scholarship."