Whether it's learning to fly, obtaining an advanced certificate or rating, or working to become an A&P, avionics specialist, or other maintenance professional, financing the training can be difficult. At the beginning of each month, AOPA will highlight scholarships from various segments of the aviation industry to make you aware of opportunities for financial help.
Scholarship applications have opened for women considering careers in corporate aviation, youths wanting to learn to fly or study aviation, and those interested in learning aerobatics.
Scholarship opportunities
Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA) has opened applications for four scholarships that will be awarded during the twenty-fifth annual International Women in Aviation Conference in Orlando, Fla., on March 8, 2014. WCA is offering the Women in Corporate Aviation Career Scholarship, the Women in Corporate Aviation International Career Scholarship, the Dassault Falcon WCA Scholarship, and the USC Viterbi Aviation Safety and Security Scholarship. Applications are due by Jan. 5, 2014.
The AOPA AV8RS youth program has unveiled a program that will award up to $20,000 in scholarships. The scholarship program, made possible by donations from AOPA Insurance Services and Sporty’s Pilot Shop, helps outstanding students ages 13 through 18 accomplish their aviation goals, including working on a primary pilot certificate; studying in an aviation/aerospace field through an accredited aviation program at a college or university, technical school, or aviation academy; or attending an aviation or aerospace camp. The deadline to apply is Dec. 31.
The $1,250 Reinald Beyer aerobatic scholarship is open to qualified applicants. The scholarship, endowed by Sunrise Aviation, is an annual award dedicated to the memory and accomplishments of Reinaldo Beyer, a physician and pilot, and encourages those to pursue aerobatic flight excellence. Applicants must be private pilots certificated in the United States and have flight experience that includes professional spin and upset recovery instruction. Contact Sunrise Aviation at 800/717-4200 or by email.
Scholarship winners
A $4,000 scholarship focused on air traffic control (ATC) was awarded for the first time this year by the Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA) in memory of a long-time member. Lewis University senior Michael Indelli was presented the inaugural Ken Johnson Memorial ATC Scholarship. Indelli is working toward a degree in ATC management at Lewis University. He interned last summer at Chicago Executive Airport. The new award brings to more than $60,000 the amount of scholarship money presented annually by CABAA to help young people enter the aviation industry.
The National Air Transportation Foundation has given its 2013 Navigate Your Future Scholarship to Matthew Groh, a freshman at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., reports General Aviation News. The scholarship is awarded yearly to a student pursuing an education in aviation-related fields. Groh is a member of Purdue’s National Honor Society and is also a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
The Connor Burton Aviation Foundation awarded three $10,000 scholarships to students in Kansas State University Salina's professional pilot program, making them the fifth group of students to receive this valuable award. The scholarships, which are split between the junior and senior year, help pay for flying time or books and tuition, and enable students to earn their flight certificates more quickly. The recipients are Patrick McElligott, Junction City; Benjamin Taylor, Wichita, Kan.; and Shane Richardson, Albuquerque, N.M.
Fresno, Calif.-based Aviation in Action has awarded its first full career flight training scholarship to Caleb Danielson of Hanford, Calif. The scholarship, valued at around $50,000, provides flight training from zero experience through a commercial pilot’s certificate and instructor rating. Aviation in Action was founded to provide flight training grants and scholarships to teenagers passionate about aviation but who lack access to the resources needed to follow their desired career path.
Scholarship roundup
Here’s a reminder of the upcoming deadlines for previously reported scholarships.
Dec. 31—Douglas Yost Memorial Aerobatic Scholarship Grant
Jan. 31—Scholarships for New England pilots, Copperstate Fly-In Air Academy Scholarship
Feb. 15—AEA Education Foundation scholarships
Feb. 28—Experimental Aircraft Association’s Wallace Peterson Scholarship
AOPA ePublishing staff
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