AOPA Flight Training Scholarships
SCHOLARSHIPS NOW OPEN THROUGH FEBRUARY 11, 2022
Made possible through donations to the AOPA Foundation, our scholarships are a major benefit of AOPA membership, helping members reach their aviation goals.
Scholarships are available in multiple categories, including primary (sport, recreational, and private pilot) certification, instrument rating, and aviation maintenance technician certification. We also have up to 120 scholarships at $10,000 each for high school students and teachers to train for their private pilot certificate. Scholarship awards range from $2,500 to $14,000. The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, February 11, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Certain criteria must be met to qualify for a scholarship. You will submit only one application that will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible. Review our Frequently Asked Questions for additional information, including how to become an AOPA member.
AOPA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: Our flight training scholarships are funded by generous donations to the AOPA Foundation. Miscellaneous donations for scholarships are combined and awarded to help members reach their aviation goals.
Award: $2,500 and up; the number of awards will vary
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
At least 16 years at the time of application submission
Must hold a student pilot certificate
AOPA FOUNDATION YOU CAN FLY HIGH SCHOOL FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: The Ray Foundation – established by the late aviator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, James C. Ray. James believed that life skills are learned through aviation. We are proud to help carry on his legacy by awarding merit-based scholarships to 80 high school students.
Award: 80 $10,000 scholarships available
Certificate or Rating: Private Pilot Certificate
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident
High school student, age 15-18 years old (applicants must be 16 years of age by May 31st, 2022)
Minimum GPA of 2.7
Must have taken and passed the FAA Private Pilot written knowledge exam before application submission
AOPA FOUNDATION YOU CAN FLY TEACHER FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: : The Ray Foundation—established by the late aviator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, James C. Ray. James believed that life skills are learned through aviation. We are proud to help carry on his legacy by awarding flight training scholarships to up to 20 high school teachers utilizing the You Can Fly aviation-based STEM curriculum.
Award: Up to 20 $10,000 scholarships available
Certificate or Rating: Private Pilot Certificate
Criteria:
Current, paid, full-time teacher utilizing the AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Curriculum in a school or school system in the 2021-2022 school year
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
Must have taken and passed the FAA Private Pilot written knowledge exam before application submission
THE A & J SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: Allan and Jill Eckmann
Award: $5,000
Certificate or Rating: Private Pilot certificate
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
At least 16 years at the time of application submission
Must be training at an accredited flight school (not with a freelance flight instructor)
Preference given to females of color
THE BREITLING AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: Breitling
Award: $10,000
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
At least 16 years at the time of application submission
Must hold a student pilot certificate
THE DANIEL T. TAUSSIG MEMORIAL FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: Brenton Taussig in memory of Daniel T. Taussig.
Award: Amount will vary
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
At least 16 years at the time of application submission
THE DAVE MONTI AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP – FLIGHT TRAINING
Donor: The friends and family of Jan and Dave Monti, in memory of Dave. Dave was a member of AOPA for more than 50 years. He founded Rebuilt Aircraft, Inc. to provide specialized maintenance and repair services for owners of Beechcraft Bonanzas, Barons, and Travel Airs. In 2019, Dave was named the FAA’s National Aviation Technician of the Year. We are proud to honor Dave’s legacy by awarding this scholarship for flight training.
Award: $3,000
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
At least 16 years at the time of application submission
Must hold a student pilot certificate
30 years or younger at the time of award
THE DAVE MONTI AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP – AVIATION MAINTENANCE
Donor: The friends and family of Jan and Dave Monti, in memory of Dave. Dave was a member of AOPA for more than 50 years. He founded Rebuilt Aircraft, Inc. to provide specialized maintenance and repair services for owners of Beechcraft Bonanzas, Barons, and Travel Airs. In 2019, Dave was named the FAA’s National Aviation Technician of the Year. We are proud to honor Dave’s legacy by awarding this scholarship for those pursuing education in aviation maintenance.
Award: $3,000
Certificate or Rating: Aviation Maintenance Technician certificate
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
At least 16 years at the time of application submission
30 years or younger at the time of award
THE DAVID & FLORENCE KLEINE FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: David Kleine, in memory of his beloved wife, Florence, who loved general aviation and the opportunities it provided for her family and others.
Award: $5,000
Certificate or Rating: Private certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
At least 16 years at the time of application submission
Preference is given to those training in Illinois or Minnesota
THE EDWARD B. SHAFER FUTURE OF FLIGHT SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: Paul Guse in memory of Edward B. Shafer. Ed was renowned in the St. Louis-area general aviation community, serving as a flight instructor for over six decades. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Ed’s enduring commitment to aviation safety was recognized in 2019 with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot award. As owner and operator of St. Louis Metro-East Airport (Shafer Field), he positively influenced hundreds of new and experienced aviators, generously sharing his knowledge and experience with kindness, patience, and humor.
Award: $5,000
Certificate or Rating: Available to those pursuing a career in aviation, including but not limited to aerospace engineering, professional pilot (airline, corporate, etc.) flight instruction, aircraft maintenance and airport management
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Currently enrolled at an accredited university or college and pursuing a career in aviation
Preference given to applicants in the mid-west United States, females, and minorities
THE EDWARD PROSPERI MEMORIAL INSTRUMENT RATING SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: Nancy G. Fitzpatrick in Memory of Ed Prosperi. Ed Prosperi was a Chicago area aviation icon, having owned Prosperi Airport near Tinley Park, IL. The airport is no longer there as the construction of Interstate 80 went right through the field. In 1996, Ed was posthumously inducted into the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame. My husband and I began our instrument training under Ed Prosperi's tutelage even though Ed was in his 80s at the time. He continued to fly his Twin Comanche until his health no longer permitted and passed away at 88.
Award: $5,000
Rating: Instrument
Criteria:
AOPA member at time of application and award
U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Age—any age person who meets the criteria for instrument training and wishes to become a more accomplished and safer pilot
ERRAL LEA AND GLENN PLYMATE MEMORIAL FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: When Glenn Plymate’s wife, Erral, passed away in 2003, he and his family suggested that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the AOPA Foundation (at the time, known as the AOPA Air Safety Foundation). Glenn and his family pledged to match these and other contributions, coming together to create the Erral Lea Plymate Memorial Endowment, which now funds several flight training scholarships each year. When Glenn passed away in 2015, his name was added to the endowment. We are honored to continue their legacy and passion for aviation.
Award: Multiple; $2,500 and up
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
At least 16 years at the time of application submission
THE FRED AND DIANE FITTS MEMORIAL FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP BY CAA
Donor: Corporate Aircraft Association (CAA) in memory of Fred and Diane Fitts. Fred Fitts was a pilot and FBO owner before starting the Corporate Aircraft Association in 1990. Together with his wife, Diane, the couple built the successful fuel and resource purchasing program from scratch. CAA continues to help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Part 91 operators by the power of their membership numbers to negotiate the best possible fuel prices. Designed to help young people get into aviation, CAA hopes these scholarships will allow future generations to fulfill the Fitts’ goal of providing value and quality to others.
Award: $7,500 each
Certificate or Rating: Private pilot certification or instrument rating
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
Age 17-35 years at the time of application submission
Preference is given to applicants interested in becoming corporate pilots, members of CAA and their relatives, and employees of CAA-preferred FBOs and their relatives
THE ROBERT BOSSI MEMORIAL INSTRUCTOR SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: Nancy G. Fitzpatrick in memory of Bob Bossi. Bob was a VietNam veteran and learned to fly utilizing the GI Bill. In addition to instructing in the Kankakee, IL area, Bob had a successful career as a corporate pilot for Ashland Oil. Bob was my CFI for my entire Private Pilot rating and was willing to fly at just about any time he was free. He instilled many great routines and techniques into my flying that I utilize to this day. He passed away in 2021 at the age of 73 from health issues.
Award: $5,000
Rating: CFI, CFII, or MEI
Criteria:
AOPA member at time of application and award
U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Age—any age person who meets the criteria for the instructor category applied for
THE SCOTT STUART FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
Donor: Scott and Jane Stuart via the Imperial Foundation
Award: $5,000
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
At least 16 years at the time of application submission
Must hold a student pilot certificate
Female applicants only
THE V. R. EATON AVIATION AND AERONAUTICS ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP – FLIGHT TRAINING
Donor: H. Ross Perot Jr. via the Hillwood Development Company, LLC. Available to students attending V. R. Eaton High School in the Professional Pilot program pathway.
Award: $14,000
Certificate or Rating: Primary certification (Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot certificate)
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
At least 16 years at the time of application submission
A student enrolled in 11th grade at V. R. Eaton High School, Fort Worth, TX
THE V. R. EATON AVIATION AND AERONAUTICS ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP – AVIATION MAINTENANCE
Donor: H. Ross Perot Jr. via the Hillwood Development Company, LLC. Available to students attending V. R. Eaton High School in the Aviation Maintenance Technology program pathway.
Award: $2,700
Certificate or Rating: Aircraft Maintenance Technician Certificate
Criteria:
Current AOPA member at the time of application and award
U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
At least 16 years at the time of application submission
A student enrolled in 10th or 11th grade at V. R. Eaton High School, Fort Worth, TX
