Richard Collins writing prize announced for young pilots

Submit your most memorable flight story for a chance to win $5,000!

Submissions accepted through March 7, 2023

Aviation writer, Richard Collins

The Richard Collins family has once again partnered with Sporty’s to offer The Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. To qualify, the writer must be a pilot (including student pilot) who is 24 years of age or younger. The article must be original, not previously published, and no longer than 1,500 words. The topic should be “my most memorable flight.”

In the fifth annual contest, both the first place and second place articles will be published in Air Facts. The first place article will receive $5,000 and $2,500 will be awarded for second place. The winners will be announced in April.

Articles may be submitted now through March 7, 2023, and sent  as a Word document to [email protected]. In addition, young pilots are required to submit a 100-word bio to accompany their articles.

Read the 2022 winning article here and the second place article here.

For the complete description, rules and tips for authors, please visit Sporty’s AirFactsJournal.com.

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Eric Radtke

It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed. He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. Eric now manages Sporty’s media network including FlightTrainingCentral.com. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.

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