AOPA partners with Ross Perot Jr. to provide high school aviation scholarships

The six scholarships will be awarded over the next three years at the academy. AOPA will collect and review scholarships, and administer the scholarship program.

“Our mission at AOPA to protect your freedom to fly is especially relevant in ensuring that we set a clear path for future generations of aviators,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “Our work with Ross Perot Jr. and The Academy of Aeronautics and Aviation Sciences brings that vision to life in a very rewarding way.”

The public aviation academy at V.R. Eaton High School provides students the opportunity to take dual credit college courses in aviation mechanical technology and/or a professional pilot pathway.

Perot is a successful real estate developer and chairman of several companies, is a U.S. Air Force veteran, and undertook the world’s first circumnavigation in a helicopter at the age of 23. Through the Sarah and Ross Perot Jr. Foundation, he is a strong supporter of AOPA and its mission to reinforce high school science, technology, engineering, and math education through aviation.

“The Perot family is honored to support students to reach their ambitions in the competitive field of aviation and technology,” Perot said. “This scholarship program reflects North Texas’ strong aviation heritage, and it will help feed the future skilled labor needs of aviation partners at Alliance Texas and throughout the region, while helping students explore the industry and pursue their passions.”

“Even after this challenging past year, the aviation industry is forecast to need hundreds of thousands of new pilots and aviation technicians,” Baker added. “It is so important for AOPA to become part of the solution. With the help of generous donations to the AOPA Foundation, AOPA has also awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarship funding to 345 aspiring and enduring pilots over the years.”

For more information, contact [email protected].