Zachary James Collie-Moreno Warbird Scholarship
The Zachary James Collie-Moreno Warbird Scholarship Program (the Warbird Scholarship) is a program within the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing (Central Texas Wing) that exists for the purpose of providing scholarships to young individuals who demonstrate an interest in miliary aviation history and aircraft maintenance and are planning to get their Air Frame and Power Plant certification license.
Scholarship Applicant Checklist
The Zachary James Collie-Moreno Warbird Scholarship is available to all CAF Cadets residing in central Texas that are passionate about Warbird aircraft and are actively pursuing their Airframe & Power Plant (A&P) certification. Applicant submissions are now being accepted for awards for 2024. Applicants must submit the following information:
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CAF Cadet Number
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Dates the applicant plans to begin and complete the A&P training program.
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Name of accredited A&P training program/school the applicant is planning to attend or is attending.
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If currently attending: copy of applicant’s current transcript (classes completed and grades earned)
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If planning to attend: copy of applicant’s acceptance letter from the school
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Total amount requested and list of other awards/scholarships received
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Written references from three individuals that attest to the applicant’s interest in warbirds and aircraft maintenance. Email addresses and telephone numbers for all references.
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One reference must be from a CAF colonel
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One reference must be from a former teacher/instructor
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One reference must be from a personal acquaintance who has known the applicant at least three years.
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In the applicant’s own words, a 150-250 word explanation of their interest in warbird aviation and maintenance and why they should be selected for this award.
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All information listed above must be submitted in one submission to the Scholarship
Committee at the Central Texas Wing. Submissions should be emailed by clicking here.
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Incomplete submissions will not be accepted. Questions about the application process may be submitted to education@centraltexaswing.org.
All amounts awarded will be paid directly to the applicant’s school, on behalf of the applicant.
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About the
Zachary James Collie-Moreno
Warbird Scholarship
Devyn Reiley and Zachary Collie were lost in an aviation accident in Oshkosh on July 29th.
Zachary (Zach) Collie was 20 years old and a member of the Central Texas Wing. He had found a love for aviation and was working to earn his A&P and had aspirations of working on and flying warbirds. He loved everything warbird related and was just getting started on his journey in aviation and life. There is no doubt that with more time he would have become a well-known and respected member of the warbird community.
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Zach was one of those kids that shows up and just doesn’t leave. He was wide-eyed about flying and always seemed to find a way into a back seat. He also loved and had a talent for photography. Many of the photos published by our Wing in the last year or so were Zach’s work.
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He was working diligently to become a crew chief on our B-25 and when he wasn’t working at his first professional maintenance job, he was in the hanger learning about warbirds - always with an eye out for that next opportunity to go flying.
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Another one of our members (also an A&P), Steve Reed, took a particular interest in Zach and invested a significant amount of time with him as a mentor. Steve and Zach had traveled to Oshkosh together, spending 20 hours in a car together and rooming together. As you can imagine, Steve’s heart is broken.
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As members of our Wing and young people in aviation, Devyn and Zach had a lot in common and were friends. It is not surprising that Zach would have jumped at the chance for a flight in the T-6.
We were all looking forward to getting to know Zach and Devyn better as they got more involved in the warbird community.
With the support of Zach's family, the Central Texas Wing is going to establish the Zachary James Collie Moreno Memorial Warbird Restoration Scholarship. We hope to find more kids like Zach - those that may not have access to the resources many of us take for granted, but that have a love for warbirds and aviation and a willingness to work hard and learn - and give them a boost. Please consider sharing Zach’s story, and, if you are as moved by it as we are, please consider a donation to help us get this scholarship off the ground.