We have chosen Rori Ross as our Ch 186 Ray Scholar for 2026 and EAA recently approved our selection. Rori has been on several Young Eagles flights and has been volunteering on the ground crew at our Young Eagles rallies. She soloed at the USAF Aim High Academy, a three week introductory flight academy. Rori is now taking flight instruction at Elevation Aviation on the east side of the field at Manassas. She will graduate this June and plans to attend Oklahoma State University’s aviation program.
The Ray Scholarship pays $12,000 toward the flight training costs of obtaining a Private Pilot Certificate. Note that total costs will most likely exceed $12,000. It is funded in three installments: $4,800 up front, $4,800 after first solo and $2,400 after written exam completion. The required milestones are:
- First solo flight within three months,
- Pass the private pilot written exam within six
- months,
- Pass the Private Pilot check ride within one year of receiving the initial funds. The EAA asks for two hours per month of volunteer time at the chapter during training.
Possession of an FAA medical certificate is required for scholarship consideration. It does not suffice to merely plan to get an FAA Medical if chosen as a scholar. EAA will not allow us to put forth a scholar for their consideration if he/she does not already have a medical (minimum of a FAA Third Class certificate).