About Us

Tailwinds of Hope Non Profit was created to honor the memory of Zachary Capra, a future commercial airline pilot. Zachary was killed April 4, 2018, when the small engine plane he was flying crashed just after takeoff in Daytona Beach, Florida while he was conducting his final check ride to obtain his commercial pilot’s license. On that clear morning, just shortly after takeoff, the left wing separated from the aircraft and crashed in an open field. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examiner John Azma also perished in this crash.

Growing up Zachary was a devoted athlete, playing ice hockey, lacrosse and golf. Zachary served in the United States Navy from July 2012 through August 2016 serving four years aboard the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate conducting aircraft launch and recovery. Zachary completed 2 tours of the Persian Gulf. This is where Zachary decided to pursue his dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot once his Navy commitment was complete. Zachary’s love of travel also began with the opportunities the Navy afforded him and planned to continue his travel experiences through his years as a pilot.

In August 2016, Zachary began his pursuit of becoming a commercial airline pilot and began his education at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Zachary was on the road to success when he was tragically killed on that April morning just one month shy of graduation. Zachary was awarded a posthumous degree of Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics. He was so close to accomplishing his dream and to solidify his future he had a short list of 2018 goals on his refrigerator which simply stated 1) Finish Commercial License 2) Finish Degree 3) Get a Job. All achievable goals. The Zachary Capra foundation awards an annual scholarships to aspiring pilots who share in his passion and are pursuing a career in aviation. Three additional scholarships are awarded to deserving high school students pursuing a four-year degree or attending a technical college. One scholarship is awarded to a deserving football player at Adams State University. All these scholarships are awarded in Zachary’s memory.