Single Father and Flight Instructor Awarded $2,500 Sporty's Scholarship

Minnesotan is pursuing multiengine ratings essential for his long-term goal of piloting medical flights.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, December 12, 2025 at 01:01 PM ET

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Meg Godlewski

Sporty’s scholarship winner Gabriel Kesler [Credit: Sporty’s Pilot Shop].

Key Takeaways:

Gabriel Kesler, a single father and newly certified flight instructor, has been awarded the Sporty’s Pilot Shop $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship.
Kesler plans to use the scholarship to obtain his multiengine and multiengine instructor ratings, which are crucial for his career advancement, including his long-term goal of piloting medical flights.
After a career in healthcare, Kesler committed to aviation full-time in 2023, utilizing Sporty’s training to earn various flight certifications and now works as an instructor.
This scholarship is one of three $2,500 awards given annually through Sporty’s Pilot Training+ membership program, supporting aspiring pilots in their training.

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One of the most challenging aspects of pursuing a career in aviation is balancing the cost of training with family responsibilities. That task just became a little bit easier for Gabriel Kesler, the latest recipient of the Sporty’s Pilot Shop $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship.

Kesler, who resides in Minnesota, is a newly certified flight instructor and single father of two little sons. He plans to use the scholarship to obtain his multiengine and multiengine instructor ratings.