March 8, 2025
EAA Chapter 35 announced that the following 2025 youth flight training scholarships have been awarded:
Chandon Knies - A Ray Aviation Scholarship
Haddy Martinez - A Ray Aviation Scholarship
Emerson Morton - Jane Kellogg Youth Flight Training Scholarship
Caleb Stahl - Brame Youth Flight Training Scholarship
November 18, 2024
Starting December 15, 2024, EAA Chapter 35 will be accepting applications for youth flight training scholarships to be awarded in 2025. An application must be received, and prerequisites met, by 11:59 PM (Central Time) on February 28, 2025.
In 2025 EAA Chapter 35 will be offering at least one, and likely three or more, competitive Scholarships covering a substantial portion of the costs associated with earning a Private Pilot License. We will have at least one Chapter 35 Youth Flight Training scholarship (the Jane Kellogg Youth Scholarship of $10,000), and more may be added as funds are collected. Additionally, we have applied for two Ray Aviation Scholarships (for $12,000 each), and should be notified in early January 2025 if we are selected to award these scholarships.
The Chapter 35 sponsored scholarships will have the same general requirements as put forth for the Ray Aviation scholarship – see the requirements here, so we will consider an application to be an application for all youth flight training scholarships we administer in 2025. Note that Chapter 35 only offers scholarships for training for a Private Pilot - Airplane license, any information on the EAA's Ray Aviation Scholarship website about training for licenses for glider pilots or sport pilots, or about applicants who are 15 years of age, does not apply.
Our Prerequisites/Eligibility Requirements for the award of scholarships are:
Age 16-19 (as of date of award of scholarship).
Possession of a student pilot certificate.
Possession of FAA medical certificate.
Be able to begin their flight training within 60 days of receiving the award.
Commit to two hours (or more) of Chapter activities per month, such as:
Volunteer at Young Eagles rallies.
Volunteer at Chapter pancake breakfast/lunch fly-ins.
Chapter build project support.
Chapter gathering/meeting participation.
Contribute to the Chapter social media and website maintenance.
Commit to reaching designated flight training milestones on or before the deadlines. This
will require a substantial amount of preparational study time each week, along with flight training.
Submit a Completed Application so that it is received by the deadline.
Additionally, successful applicants will be required to:
Write and submit chapter newsletter articles each month.
Submit monthly progress reports, promptly, at the end of each month.
This means an applicant will need to complete the following by at least February 28, 2025 (and we recommend doing so MUCH earlier):
1. Schedule and pass a medical exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to get at least a 3rd Class medical certificate. If you don’t know an AME, perhaps choose one that supports EAA Chapter 35 by advertising in our Chapter newsletter, usually on the next to last page of the newsletter.
2. Obtain a Student Pilot Certificate. This is now a more involved task than in the past. Nowadays, a prospective student pilot must find a Certified Flight Instructor to be a “recommending instructor” who will work with the prospective student to complete the online paperwork, and sign as the recommending instructor. Then the application is submitted electronically. The application takes some time for the FAA to process, however, if the student pilot certificate is not physically received by the time the scholarship application is submitted, we will accept a copy of the filing receipt in lieu of the required copy of the student pilot license.
3. Obtain and complete the chapter scholarship application and ensure it is transmitted to and RECEIVED BY the chapter.(1)
To GET a copy of the application, prospective applicants should write an email to the EAA Chapter 35 Scholarship Coordinator, Allen Inks, at scholarships@eaa35.org. Please include the following statement and information:
“I request a copy of the 2025 EAA Chapter 35 Flight Training Scholarship Application”
My name is:
My birthdate is:
My email address to use (THAT I CHECK FREQUENTLY) is:
If you are a minor (less than age 18 right now) also include:
A parent/guardian's name:
Parent/guardian's mailing address:
Parent/guardian's email address:
Parent/guardian's telephone number:
If you have questions, are unsure of requirements, etc., email the same address: scholarships@eaa35.org.
August 12, 2024
A new video from our fellow member, and aerobatic competition pilot, Andrea McGilvray. Enjoy!
December 13, 2023
An announcement regarding youth flight training scholarships Chapter 35 expects to award in 2024.
EAA CHAPTER 35 YOUTH FLIGHT TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR 2024
In 2024 EAA Chapter 35 will be offering at least one, and likely two, competitive Scholarships covering a substantial portion of the costs associated with geting a Private Pilot License. The Jane Kellogg Youth Scholarship is in the amount of $10,000. Additionally, we have applied for a Ray Aviation Scholarship and should be notified in early January 2024 if we get it.
EARLIER FILING DATE this year: The scholarship application deadline has been moved to an earlier date than in 2023. Last year, our youth flight training scholarship applications had a deadline submission of March 31, 2023. However, the time it takes to review applicants and to process and fund successful applicants meant that the scholarship money didn’t reach our scholars until the end of May. At which point the scholars had only a little over 2 months for flight training until school started in early August. To concentrate more of our scholars’ flight training during the time when the weather is better, the Board of Directors of EAA Chapter 35 has moved the deadline for applications for flight training scholarships up to the end of February, 2024. Applicants should ENSURE the application is received by the end of the day on February 29, 2024, and preferably earlier.1
So what does moving the deadline to apply to a month earlier mean for those thinking about applying for one of our scholarships? Clearly, it means that they will have to obtain, fill out, and submit an application by the end of February, 2024. The Jane Kellogg scholarship will have the same requirements as put forth for Ray Aviation scholarship – see the requirements here, so we will consider each application to be an application for both scholarships (assuming we get a Ray Aviation Scholarship in 2024).
1. Schedule and pass a medical exam with an Aviaiton Medical Examiner to get at least a 3rd Class medical certificate.2 Several Aviation Medical Examiners (Drs. Saboe, Fisher, and Hecker) support EAA Chapter 35 by advertising in our Chapter newsletter, for example, on page 19 of the December, 2023, newsletter.
2. Obtain a Student Pilot Certificate. This is a more involved task than it was when I was a student pilot. Nowadays, a prospective student pilot must find a Certified Flight Instructor to be a “recommending instructor” who will work with the prospective student to complete the online paperwork, and sign as the recommending instructor. Then the application is submitted electronically. The application takes some time for the FAA to process. (However, if the student pilot certificate is not physically received by the time the application is submitted, we will accept a copy of the filing receipt in lieu of the required partial copy of the student pilot license)
To GET a copy of the application, prospective applicants should write an email to the EAA Chapter 35 Scholarship Coordinator, Allen Inks, at scholarships@eaa35.org. Please include the following statement and information:
“I request a copy of the 2024 EAA Chapter 35 Flight Training Scholarship Application”
My name is:
My birthdate is:
My email address to use (THAT I CHECK FREQUENTLY) is:
If you are a minor (less than age 18 right now), also include:
A parent/guardian’s Name:
Parent's mailing address:
Parent's email address:
Parent's telephone number:
If you have questions, are unsure of requirements, etc., email the same address: scholarships@eaa35.org.
Please note: While we understand that you might be involved in other projects or activities, this scholarship opportunity will take much of your free Ime. Be sure to understand that your pursuit of an EAA Flight Scholarship is a major commitment. Decide if your time will permit this challenge to your personal schedule prior to signing up for this scholarship opportunity.
HINTS:
If an applicant has completed a ground school course (such as, but not limited to, the Sporty’s Learn to Fly course - which is free for youth that have taken an EAA Young Eagle flight3 – which is also free), this would be something that we would view as a posiIve when evaluaIng the applicaIon. And such a course does NOT take 2 months to complete if one is diligent about it.
After successfully completing that ground school course, a person can take the FAA Written Exam for the private pilot airplane. If they pass and are an EAA (national, not just Chapter 35) student member (student membership is free for Young Eagles), EAA will reimburse the test fee (currently $175 for the successful test attempt).
Passing the written exam is one of the major MILESTONES we set for our scholarship recipients. If an applicant has ALREADY passed the Written Exam at the time they apply for the scholarship, that would be something we would view as EXTREMELY posiIve, because if selected, that applicant would start significantly ahead, and be more likely to complete their training on time and get their license. Passing the Written Exam prior to the award of the scholarship will not affect the total amount of the scholarship awarded.
__________________
PS: If you are reading this and are not someone who is going to be applying for a scholarship ... remember, scholarships don’t fund themselves. If you like what you see, please consider donating to Experiment Aircraft Association Chapter 35, Inc., a 501(c )(3) charitable organization, designating at least a portion of your donation to go to “youth scholarship funds”.Information on how to make a donation to EAA Chapter 35 can be found here.
(1) Please do not contact us in March and explain the last minute mistake or emergency that prevented you from filing by the end of Feb. 29th. We will only be able to confirm you missed the deadline. Instead, file earlier than the deadline and keep the email response we will send acknowledging that you filed on time. If you don’t get that acknowledgement within 24 hours, CONTACT US AND REQUEST IT.
(2) As was the case in 2023, we are not going to be nominating anyone for glider private pilot fight training in 2024, so a medical certificate IS a prerequisite, as is a minimum age of 16 at the time the scholarship is awarded.
(3) Learn more about Young Eagle Flights here and here. The next organized Young Eagle event at EAA Chapter 35 is not scheduled until after the application filing deadline, but other opportunities exist, including individual Young Eagle flights with Young Eagle Pilots.
After more than a century of service to our planet and our airpark, a wind storm smashed our beloved giant oak. We will miss her.
Photo thanks to Ron O'Dea and Dave Baker
Saturday, October 1, 2022, was a fantastic day to aviate, exemplified by:
This photo by chapter member Andrea McGilvray who was in Salina, Kansas.
And this photo from chapter member Darren Medlin who was at the Ranger Airfield's Antique Fly-In & Airshow in Ranger, Texas
Fly-In, Pancake Breakfast & Warbird Presentation
Saturday, October 8, 2022
9:00am to (when the coffee runs out)
Please join us for our October, 2022, Chapter Gathering; fly in, or drive in, you are welcome to join us for a yummy pancake breakfast, good aviation fellowship, and at around 10:00am our fellow member, Casey Fox, will share with us the amazing story behind his AirVenture 2022 award winning North American T-6. This aircraft is a flying memorial to his father; come out and hear the story.
Breakfast is $7 per person, pilots of aircraft who fly in for the event eat free (their passengers are $7 per person). Also, if you fly in for this event, please park your aircraft in San Geronimo Airpark's transient aircraft parking area which is the grassy area north of the ops building.
Fly-In at 50R, Lockhart, Texas - The BBQ Capital of Texas
Saturday, September 24, 2022
10:00am to 2:00pm
Chisholm Trail BBQ served on site!
Our Next Young Eagles Rally (This event was rescheduled from April 23, 2022)
Saturday, April 30, 2022
9:00am to 11:00am
All youth ages 8–17 have an opportunity to go flying in a general aviation airplane. These flights are offered free of charge and are made possible through the generosity of EAA member volunteers. Bring your daughter, son, niece, nephew, grandchild, any youth ages 8-17 and we will introduce them, up close and personal, to aviation.
Participants will receive an introduction to a real airplane with the highlight of the event being a short flight in the local area. Participants will receive a certificate recognizing their completion of a Young Eagles experience, their first log book, a free Student Membership in the EAA, an opportunity to take the Sporty's online Learn to Fly Course, take a free first flight lesson, and apply for training scholarships.
Although pre-registration is not required, we encourage you to register your Young Eagle for the event here: Young Eagles
More information about the EAA's Young Eagle program can be found here: EAA's Young Eagles Home Page
View our photos pages for a glimpse of past Young Eagles Rallies.
For questions about the April 23, 2022 rally, please contact our Young Eagles Coordinators: Rebecca Southard at 507-210-0504 or Dean Doolittle at 713-805-1577.
To our members: we need you as pilots, and volunteers for several other important jobs.
Our Flying Start Event On EAA's International Learn To Fly Day
Saturday, May 21, 2022
9:00am to 12:00pm
It's like Young Eagles for adults! If you have a family member, a friend, or even a cranky neighbor who you know harbors an interest in aviation, invite them to Chapter 35's first Flying Start event. Totally free, participants will experience a Young Eagles style event that culminates in a fifteen minute local flight.
Click here to register.
This is shaping up to be a fantastic Chapter event and to insure that it is, please come join us as a volunteer. We need folks for various ground and pilot jobs. Also, if you are interested in displaying your aircraft, RC aircraft, models, or building project, we would be excited to have you too.
To volunteer, display an aircraft, or any other questions; please contact Paul Wurster at: paul.wurster@eaa35.org .
February 9, 2022
If you would like to learn more about aviation accident analysis, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is offering a fourteen day free online course. Click here for more information.
October 9, 2021, Chapter Gathering
We had really nice weather and a fantastic turnout for our Fall, 2021, Fly-In pancake breakfast. Also, Ryan Newman, our FAAST Team representative awarded the coveted Wright Brother's Master Pilot Award to Chapter member Dean Howard. View an album of photos here.
Our Next Young Eagles Rally
Saturday, October 23, 2021
9:00am to 11:00am
All youth ages 8–17 have an opportunity to go flying in a general aviation airplane. These flights are offered free of charge and are made possible through the generosity of EAA member volunteers. Bring your daughter, son, niece, nephew, grandchild, any youth ages 8-17 and we will introduce them, up close and personal, to aviation.
Participants will receive an introduction to a real airplane with the highlight of the event being a short flight in the local area. Participants will receive a certificate recognizing their completion of a Young Eagles experience, their first log book, a free Student Membership in the EAA, an opportunity to take the Sporty's online Learn to Fly Course, take a free first flight lesson, and apply for training scholarships.
Although pre-registration is not required, we encourage you to register your Young Eagle for the event here: Young Eagles
More information about the EAA's Young Eagle program can be found here: EAA's Young Eagles Home Page
View our photos pages for a glimpse of past Young Eagles Rallies.
For questions about the October 23, 2021 rally, please contact our Young Eagles Coordinators: Brian Smith at 210-695-0339, or Rebecca Southard at 507-210-0504.
To our members: we need you as pilots, and volunteers for several other important jobs.
Young Eagles News
If you need proof of the potential of our Young Eagles program then look no further than eighteen year old Jacqueline Campos.
Jacqueline visited us at our August 14, 2021 Chapter Gathering to share with us the news that she recently earned her Private Pilot Certificate. That’s right folks, at age eighteen Jacqueline is a legit FAA certified Private Pilot. But let’s back up a little… on September 19, 2020, Jacqueline experienced a Young Eagles flight with Charlie Brame and over the next eleven months she graduated from the SAISD’s Young Women’s Leadership Academy high school program, she earned entrance to the University of Texas at Austin, and she was awarded a full scholarship by the U.S. Air Force to attend an eight week accelerated private pilot training course at Indiana Wesleyan University. She reminds me of another accomplished aviator, Jacqueline Cochran.
Congratulations to Jacqueline for graduating high school, for gaining admittance to The University of Texas, and for becoming a certificated Private Pilot. Also, a hearty well-done to Charlie Brame for what must have been a memorable Young Eagles flight.
Jacqueline Campos, Private Pilot, with Charlie Brame - August 14, 2021
Jacqueline Campos, Young Eagle, with her mother and Young Eagle pilot Charlie Brame - September 19, 2020
August 14, 2021 Chapter Gathering
On August 14, 2021 we had a nice group of members and guests who gathered to hear about member's experiences at AirVenture 2021. Thanks to Jane Kellogg who described her participation in the B2OSH, a.k.a Bonanzas to Oshkosh arrival, and to Peggy Fisher who shared her and Chuck's experiences at the big show. Nice presentations, a yummy lunch, and pleasant fellowship.
