Parker Anthony is a James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship recipient and Central Florida Aerospace Academy alumnus who has had a direct path toward success in the aviation industry. After receiving the scholarship in July 2020, he earned his Private Pilot License soon after — one week after his seventeenth birthday.

            One year after receiving the scholarship, Parker obtained his Instrument Rating; six months after that achievement, he earned his Commercial Pilot License. Only three short months later, Parker became a Certified Flight Instructor. Parker completed the majority of his flight training at Legends Aviation Academy, whose flow-through program allowed him to be hired as a CFI when he completed his training.

Parker’s Private Pilot Checkride

First student Parker had who was also his classmate

Parker cutting his solo student’s shirt

While working as a Certified Flight Instructor, Parker was a Senior at Central Florida Aerospace Academy. Parker observes, “One of my first students was in my high school class.” After graduating high school and training student pilots for a year and a half, Parker obtained the hours he needed to advance through Legend’s Airways flight training program and earned his type rating for the Saab 340B. Today, he continues as a First Officer at Legends Airways, flying the Saab 340B and delivering cargo shipments across the country. When he isn’t flying cargo, he steps in as a ground instructor at the flight school. Parker shares, “[Teaching ground school] is really fun to me.”.

            When asked about how the scholarship has impacted him, Parker reflects, “It gave me my start in aviation. It gave me the funds to get going.” He recalls his time at CFAA and being a member of the Lakeland Aeroclub and shares, “You get so much exposure to aviation.” Parker also offered advice to current and future James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship recipients; he advises, “Stick with it. It’s a process. Fly as consistently as you can, keep a really good pace, and make sure it’s something you like.”

Parker flying as First Officer for Legends Airways

Parker flying the Saab 340B

Parker flying with his high school teacher

     Parker’s short-term goals include working his way up at Legends Airways and continuing ground instruction through their aviation academy. His long-term goals include working for a major airline more locally, such as JetBlue Airlines in Orlando, Florida.

Parker is a great example of putting in consistent work to obtain licenses/ratings. His determination has led him to become a First Officer at a cargo airline at a young age, with increasing professional growth ahead of him. We wish Parker the best with his goals and commend him on all of his accomplishments.