In January 2026, Chapter 186 will apply to EAA to administer a 2026 Ray Foundation Aviation Scholarship. If we are selected to give another Ray Scholarship, we will begin a search in March for a motivated youth aged 16 1⁄2 to 19 who would like to participate in a concentrated one-year effort to acquire his/her Private Pilot License.
Our current 2025 Ray Scholar, Cliff Storey, flew his first solo (powered) flight in October. He is training at Aviation Adventures at Manassas.
Our 2022 Ray Scholar, Juliette Burton, graduated from University of Maryland last May and was commissioned into the Air Force in June. She reported to Laughlin AFB in Texas and has spent 10 weeks in academics and simulator training. On November 10 she received her first flight in a T-6A Texan II. See cover story.
Thank you to all the volunteers that keep this Chapter busy and visible. That helps us qualify to grant another Ray Scholarship each year.
Scholarship Application List:
Virginia Aviation Business Association:
Charles J. Colgan Scholarship – https://www.thevaba.org/colgan-application
Virginia Department of Aviation: https://doav.virginia.gov/virginia-aviation-scholarships/
Willard G. Plentl Sr. Aviation Scholarship
John R. Lillard Foundation Aviation Scholarship
Kenneth R. Scott Aviation Scholarship
Chad Weaver Aviation Scholarship
Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society:
Captain Earle Worley Scholarship https://www.vahsonline.com/programs/aviation-scholarships/
AOPA:
Numerous aviation scholarships https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/students/aopa-
flight-training-scholarships
EAA:
Numerous aviation scholarships https://www.eaa.org/eaa/learn-to-fly/scholarships/eaa-flight-training-scholarships