By LINDY SEGALL
As the proud son of a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) of World War II, I know something about the mindset and perseverance of an aspiring aviatrix.
And now I’ve seen it in action again with the success of Juliana “Juli” Martinez, the first Ray Aviation Scholarship recipient of EAA Chapter 1088 in Fredricksburg, Texas.
Her journey began five years ago when a teacher friend told me of a girl in her freshman speech class who spoke shyly of a “dream to fly someday.”
Three years later, I got a call from my car dealer asking if I had any connection with the flight training program at Gillespie County Airport (T82). He learned from a customer about a teen who was seeking career options after high school graduation. Aviation was at the top of her list.
I agreed to help and told him to share my cell phone number. It turns out it was the same girl from that speech class.
Within hours, I received a call from soft-spoken Juliana “Juli” Martinez, asking if we could meet and discuss options for pursuing her private pilot certificate. In our first meeting, I learned she’d already logged several hours of flight time after paying hard-earned cash for a short Discovery Flight at Crosswind Aviation flight school.
I grilled Juli extensively to determine her level of commitment to what would prove to be an arduous and expensive fulfillment of her dream.
Typically, only 20% of aspiring pilots complete the required training and pass the FAA check ride. As a high school senior, she was working two jobs to pay for her flight training while applying for academic scholarships to continue higher education after graduation.
I admit I left the meeting highly skeptical that she could possibly afford the ever-increasing costs of flight training, let alone build the demanding hours into her already heavily-loaded schedule.
That changed in January 2023 when our local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) was awarded an $11,000 scholarship funded by the Ray Foundation. The late James C. Ray was a distinguished World War II pilot with the belief that American youth can benefit from the life lessons learned in aviation, such as self-discipline, self-confidence, and decision-making skills.
Along with Sarah Wendt, a professional pilot and member of EAA Chapter 1088, I agreed to coordinate the 2023-2024 Ray Aviation Scholarship program.
The process began in February with a call for nominations from the local aviation community. Candidates were subjected to a rigorous screening process, which included a detailed application, written essay, and interview with the scholarship committee headed by national EAA board member David Pasahow.
One of our applicants was Juli, who was ultimately selected for the scholarship by unanimous vote.
Juli’s fascination with flight mirrors so many others in general aviation.
“Since I can remember, I have always been fascinated by planes,” she says. “As a little girl, I’d always gaze into the sky looking for an airplane among the clouds. My first time on a commercial flight was the coolest experience, sitting in the window seat and taking in the views, turbulence, and sounds. It blew my mind. How can such a heavy man-made object live in the sky, I asked my 10-year-old self. Is it possible that I can fly one of those?”
“My dreams of becoming a pilot seemed to be out of reach, with expenses and finding the time to train. Yet the more I watched videos about planes, pilots, and aviation in general, the more I become interested.”
That led her to apply for the scholarship.
Her flight training and ground school began May 1 in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk with CFI James Mickel.
Meanwhile, she graduated from Fredericksburg High School with honors, multiple scholarships — and a difficult decision to make.
Juli realized her flight training would carry over into the fall when she had originally planned to enroll as a freshman at the University of Texas San Antonio business school. Her scholarships would require her to take a full course load.
By now, she knew the absolute worst thing any pilot-in-training can do is start/stop/start again. She knew that consistency is the key to success. She made the decision to continue training in Fredericksburg while enrolled in online courses at Central Texas College.
Juli flew her first solo and passed the written exam during the summer months.
She was on track to complete her training and schedule her check ride by the Christmas holidays when the only aircraft available was grounded for maintenance…for over two months.
Juli continued her ground studies, logged time on a flight simulator, and flew several different aircraft owned by EAA chapter members inspired by her tenacity. Oh, and she did this while continuing to work her two jobs and maintain her grades in her college classes.
Another hurdle to overcome popped up when the scholarship funds ran out before she earned her ticket. Though not obligated to do so, EAA Chapter 1088 rallied behind Juli and voted to continue funding her training as a testament to her commitment. In response, Juli was always first to volunteer for the numerous activities at the airport.
The C-172 was back in service after the first of the year. But by then her CFI, James Mickel, had been hired away by SkyWest airlines. CFI Nick Wineriter stepped in and brought Juli to the finish line where she passed her oral exam and flight check ride with “flying colors.”
As FAA Designated Flight Examiner Ross Pehl told me afterward, “I wish all student pilots were so dedicated and well-prepared!”
Juli recognizes that sometimes it takes a village to create a pilot.
“I couldn’t have done it without the support of the entire chapter, the T82 community, and all those on ‘Team Juli’ who helped me get into aviation and inspired me throughout, along with my family and friends who were always there for me.”
“It is rare to have no turbulence during flight training,” notes Wendt. “Juli overcame it all. As a professional pilot who was in her place not too long ago, I was happy to be there to offer encouragement and share similar experiences. I am proud to be a part of Team Juli and I know her tenacity will take her wherever she wants to go.”
Juli is now a sophomore on a scholarship in the Commercial Aviation program at Angelo State University (ASU) and earned her instrument rating in January 2025.
She works at Skyline Aviation and at San Angelo Jet Center while attending college classes.
She is involved with three aviation programs: The Austin Hill County chapter of the Ninety-Nines, Women in Aviation in San Angelo and Austin, and is vice president of RamAir, an aviation program at ASU. In January 2025, she was named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester.
As an ambassador and spokesperson for EAA, the Ray Foundation, and EAA Chapter 1088, Juli is ready, willing, and able to “pass it forward,” speaking to interested young people in our community about the joys of flying and the potential rewards of a career in aviation.
Her most recent mission? Flying Santa Claus to Gillespie County Airport in a vintage Waco UPF-7 biplane to the delight of hundreds of waiting children and their parents!
