WEST MILFORD The late Hal Botsford spent his entire life flying all manner of aircraft and, perhaps more importantly, teaching hundreds of students to fulfill their potential as pilots. Now, thanks to his family and many friends, his life’s passion will endure. Jay Dougherty, 22, of West Milford, a commercial pilot and certified flight instructor, and Jill Dietz, 21, of Cornwall, NY, a student pilot, were each awarded $1000 scholarships from the Hal Botsford Gift of Wings Fund at the foundation’s first annual presentation ceremony, held on Thursday, December 1, at Greenwood Lake Airport. Several dozen of Botsford’s students, friends, and family were on hand when the awards were made inside the cabin of “Connie,” the old Lockheed Constellation airliner that’s been an airport landmark since 1977. The Hal Botsford Gift of Wings Fund was established by his daughter, Alison Botsford, to help student pilots defray the cost of lessons. “He was passionate about flying and flight instruction, and it’s a fitting tribute to him that the fund will allow even more pilots to realize their goals,” she noted. Harold E. “Hal” Botsford, who died last February at age 79, had a storied career as an aviator. He became a pilot at age 16, served in the Navy, ferried mail and supplies in the Alaskan bush country, and flew commercial and corporate prop planes and jets throughout six continents and 145 countries - all the while logging an almost unheard-of 27,000 hours behind the controls over five decades. During that time, Botsford taught hundreds of student pilots around the world, including many at Greenwood Lake Airport over the last 25 years. The Hal Botsford Gift of Wings Fund accepts donations (tax deductible) for future scholarships. The address is 126 Airport Road, Box #3, West Milford, NJ 07480.