Chapter 1

Flabob Airport, Riverside, CA

Ray Aviation Scholarship

EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship


The EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship 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 help cover their flight training expenses, totaling $1,800,000 in annual scholarship funding.

EAA chapters apply for a scholarship, and if approved, the chapter then awards the scholarship to a youth or young adult to help them become a pilot. In addition to scholarship funding, the chapter also helps mentor the scholar and supports them on their path to becoming a licensed pilot.

This scholarship is available for candidates 16-19 years old who are pursuing a Private Pilot or Sport Pilot certificate, and for candidates 15-19 years old who are pursuing a Glider Pilot certificate.

Learn more at EAA.org/RayScholarship

 ***OUR APPLICATION PROCESS IS NOW CLOSED***

All applications must be received via EMAIL by the end of the day on May 31, 2023.

Application HERE

 

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Minimum of age 15 for glider training
  • Age 16-19 for powered flight training
  • Possession of a student pilot certificate
  • Possession of FAA medical certificate (private pilot students)
  • Be able to begin their flight training within 60 days of receiving the award

Additional consideration will be given to candidates who are former Young Eagles, EAA student members, and actively participating in the EAA Flight Plan, specifically the Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course.

Once selected by the chapter, the candidate will also be screened by EAA through an application process. If approved by EAA, the scholarship recipient will have to comply with the following requirements:

  • Partake in two hours of chapter volunteer service per month, such as:
    • Young Eagles rally volunteering.
    • Volunteer at pancake breakfast/fly-ins
    • Chapter build project support
    • Chapter gathering participation
    • Chapter social media and website maintenance
  • Submit regular progress reports during monthly check-ins
  • Reach designated flight training milestones, as outlined by EAA's training timeline.

For more information on the Ray Aviation and other EAA Scholarships, click here.

To apply for the Ray Aviation Scholarship, contact:

Scholarship Coordinator

Name: Patrick Miller
City: Riverside
Email: eaa.ch1.info@gmail.com

 

EAA Chapter One Scholarship Milestone


Submitted by: David Cheney, Ray Aviation Scholarship Coordinator

EAAEAA Chapter One celebrated a huge milestone on Saturday, November 21, 2020, when its’ Ray Aviation Scholarship recipient, 18 year old Patricia Kackert, made her first solo flight as she works towards her Private Pilot Flight Certificate! Patricia and her flight instructor, Anthony Rizzo, have been following the Gleim syllabus for flight training, and she has accumulated approximately 22 hours of dual flight instruction; all in Cessna 172s.

Patricia, who is also currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, and volunteers her ‘spare time’ to EAA Chapter One and the Civil Air Patrol, made three picture perfect solo landings on a beautiful southern California morning on runway 27 of the Riverside Airport (RAL) in Riverside, California. In attendance were James Obrien, Chapter President, Brian Duffield, Chapter Board Member, David Cheney, Ray Aviation Scholarship Coordinator and Chapter Board Member, Patricia’s very supportive parents, Betsy and Stepdad Carl, and brother and sister, Joseph and Elizabeth.EAA

Patricia has many aviation aspirations that she would like to work towards once she completes flight training, including flying F-16s for the Air Force and becoming an Emergency Medical Response (EMR) pilot. However, first and foremost on the list of Patricia’s goals is giving back to the same aviation community that has given her the opportunity to pursue her passion for aviation. Patricia now volunteers as a safety escort for kids attending EAA Chapter One’s Young Eagle events, and is always eager to share her flight experiences with them.

As a Private Pilot, she plans on mentoring girls and young women on the joys and opportunities in aviation, just as she had been mentored, and to give them the opportunity to take flight with her as a Young Eagle pilot. With her drive and passion for anything she tackles, there are no doubts in our minds that she will accomplish everything she sets out to achieve!

EAAAfter her flight, Patricia was all smiles as she taxied the Cessna to the ramp and was greeted enthusiastically by all in attendance. She said the flight was exhilarating, challenging, and mostly so very rewarding to finally take the controls of an airplane with no one else on board and to take off and land all on her own! And although she will cherish every memory of that first solo flight, she said that one of the best moments was when she rolled out on the runway after her last landing, turned onto an adjoining taxiway, and was personally contacted on the tower frequency by the RAL Air Traffic Controllers to congratulate her on her achievement and a job well done! We also congratulate Patricia on her solo flight and look forward to watching her accomplish many more milestones as she pursues her passion for aviation!

 

 

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