Ray Aviation Scholarship

The EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship Fund is a scholarship program that is funded by the Ray Foundation, managed by EAA, and administered through the EAA Chapter network. Through the generous support of the Ray Foundation, EAA provides up to $11,000 to deserving youths to cover their flight training expenses, totaling $1,550,000 in scholarships annually.  Since 2022, EAA Chapter 857 has been awarded each year the opportunity to select and mentor a candidate for pursuit of their private pilot certificate.

This scholarship program, seeks to improve the flight training success rate from the current industry standards of 20 percent to 80 percent for program participants. Local EAA chapters are responsible for identifying youth for the Ray Aviation Scholarship program and mentoring them through flight training. The Ray Foundation is furthering the legacy of James C. Ray, an EAA lifetime member who was dedicated to aviation and youth education. 

Since its introduction in 2019, the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship program has allowed over 180 youths to complete their flight training and receiving their pilot licenses. The program has been consistently meeting and exceeding its expected 80% success rate each year.  The Scholarship Funds can be used for any cost directly associated with flight training, such as aircraft rental, CFI fees, aircraft fuel, flying club dues, check-ride fees, and non-owners aircraft insurance.  The program is supported by more than 150 EAA chapters, and was expected to fund nearly 160 scholars in 2022.

In 2025, EAA Chapter 857 will choose and support one scholar, between the ages of 16 and 19, in the form of funding and mentorship to help him or her earn their pilot certificate.  If you are interested please download and save the application form linked below, fill it out and return it to EAA Chapter 857 as directed in the form.

EAA 857 2023 Ray Aviation Scholarship Recipient Achieves his Private Pilot Certificate

The Award was part of the annual $1.8 million Ray Aviation Scholarship program 

Colin Daniello of Mars, PA  who was awarded a unique full-scholarship opportunity for flight training by EAA Chapter 857 of Butler, PA has achieved his Private Pilots Certificate.  The Ray Aviation Scholarship program is administered by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin through their chapter network..

The Ray Aviation Scholarship program provides up to $11,000 scholarships to young people who are seeking to learn to fly. The Ray Foundation has provided $1.8 million to fund the scholarship program, which seeks to improve the flight training success rate from the current industry standards of 20 percent to 80 percent for program participants. Local EAA chapters are responsible for identifying youth for the Ray Aviation Scholarship program and mentoring them through flight training. The Ray Foundation is furthering the legacy of James C. Ray, an EAA lifetime member who was dedicated to aviation and youth education. 

Since its introduction in 2019, the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship program has allowed over 350 youths to complete their flight training and receive their pilot licenses. This is the second Ray Aviation Scholarship received by Chapter 857 thereby bringing thousands of dollars in flight training to our local flight schools. In addition to this scholarship, Chapter 857 has, for over a decade, offered EAA Air Academy Scholarships to Butler-area youth. These scholarships offer an aviation-focused, summer-camp like experience in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There is no better way to exposure youth to Aviation and Aerospace opportunities than by participating in an EAA Air Academy event.    

Colin, EAA 857's second Ray Scholar, will further pursue his aviation education at the University of North Dakota.  Naomi Wigley, our first awardee passed her private pilot check ride in December 2022 and is also pursuing her further education in Texas. Congratulations are due to both of these young aviators!