Ray Aviation Scholarship
by Bob Prange
Chapter 186 has been approved by EAA to grant a $12,000 Ray Aviation Foundation Scholarship for 2025. This is the 7th consecutive year we have been approved. We are reviewing the questionnaire answers submitted in March by our scholar hopefuls and will complete the selection process in April. We look at a candidate’s motivation, participation level in Chapter activities, level of completion in the Sporty’s Learn-to-Fly video series, participation in Young Eagles flights and Oshkosh Air Academy and any accomplishment toward flight training preparation. Possession of an
FAA medical certificate is required for scholarship consideration.
The Ray Scholarship pays $12,000 toward the flight training costs of obtaining a Private Pilot Certificate. Note that total costs will exceed $12,000. It is paid in three installments: initial, after first solo and 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.