Pilot-Flight-Instruction.com (PFI) announced today the selection of the first ever recipient of the "Jim Hackman Flight Scholarship", a $1,000 cash grant provided to an aspiring aviator each year. PFI established the scholarship to assist flight students who demonstrate outstanding diligence in the pursuit of their career or recreational flight certification.

The scholarship is named in honor of Jim Hackman, a flight instructor whose decades-long career in flight training spanned roles as a chief flight instructor with over 2,400 hours of instruction given to president of an FBO and flight school. Perhaps most significantly, Hackman provided guidance to hundreds of flight schools nationwide as a long-time regional manager of the Cessna Pilot Center program. Now enjoying retirement in Tempe Arizona, Jim continues to provide invaluable advice and mentorship to the industry and to Pilot-Flight-Instruction.com

Steven Willinger, 23, a student pilot from Tustin California, was selected for the $1,000 scholarship award. Willinger started flight training on April 15, 2009 and completed his first solo flight just two weeks later on April 30. He is continuing his flight training in preparation for a career as a pilot in the US Air Force.

PFI will award additional $1,000 scholarships to meritorious flight students each year. The next award will be made August 1, 2010. Flight students at any stage of their training may apply by simply filling out a student profile at Pilot-Flight-Instruction.com.