EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – Three Clay County residents have earned their wings as pilots, Thomas Creel of Excelsior Springs Memorial Airport reported.

Monty Freeman served as their instructor.

The new pilots are Morgan Atkinson, Molli Atkinson and Trent Adams.

“These are three young adults in our community who have worked extremely hard with great reward. Our little airport doesn’t receive much recognition or love, so I am extremely proud and excited to share this with you!” Creel stated.

Morgan, 21; and Molli, 19, are the children of Rich and Michelle Atkinson and the grandchildren of Marlyn and Kathy Atkinson. Rich served as a Marine Corps Huey pilot and flies for Air Evac EMS. Marlyn has been a licensed pilot since 1969.

Morgan and Molly attend college at the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg. UCM offers an airline training degree and a path to airline jobs after graduation.

Trent Adams is the son of Adam and Delta Adams, longtime Excelsior Springs residents; and the grandson of Willa and Earl Adams, also longtime residents.

Adam and Delta run a trucking company in Excelsior Springs.

Creel added more is going on at the airport.

“Keep watching the skies for our paragliders,” he stated. “Since last year, they have made our airport a focal point of their ultralight group. These guys come from Olathe, Lenexa, Kansas City and Independence to enjoy our town. We also have a new resident in Excelsior and one in Lawson for light sport aviation that will be utilizing our airport.”