AOPA Scholarships | Flight Training Scholarship

AOPA scholarships are available to 80 aviation-minded high school students aged 15 to 18, and to 20 teachers dedicated to advancing aviation education in their classrooms.

AOPA scholarship Program can aid you in mitigating one of the most significant challenges new pilots face: the sticker crash.

Suppose you’re interested in flying airplanes and jets or have a huge interest in aviation. In that case, you can easily get a pilot training certificate in 2024 with the AOPA Flight Training Scholarship Program. In this post, learn more about flight training for various levels of students and pilots.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) awarded 100 AOPA scholarships of $10,000 each to scholars. These Scholars have been called upon to persuade them to use aviation in their classrooms whenever possible.

Moreso, these AOPA scholarship winners can use their rewards to pay for direct flight training costs for a Master Pilot Certificate. Fellows must achieve a flight training milestone within one year after receiving the award to win their first solo or obtain a Master Pilot Certificate.

It is important to note that, Teachers applying for a scholarship must be full-time employees of a school. They can also come to be in a school system that works to prepare students for a future in aviation.

Which country is the cheapest for Pilot training?

Malaysian flying academies offer courses that take around one year but cost Rs 10 lakh and Rs 12 lakh.

On the other hand, the Philippines, one of the world’s cheapest countries to receive a pilot license, charges Rs 9-10 lakh.

Thus, the Philippines is seemingly one of the countries with the cheapest pilot training.

What is the cheapest way to become a pilot?

Very seriously, the cheapest way to become a pilot is to attend a Pilot training school—no need to attempt shortcuts. The safest, proven way is by getting first-hand professional training.

Which airline pays the highest salary to pilots?

According to ATP‘s report in 2024, the major airlines with the highest salary for pilots are captured in the table below:

Airline	Lowest Pay	Highest Pay	Average Pay
United Airlines	$232	$328	$272.41
American Airlines	$156	$323	$269.02
Delta Airlines	$156	$330	$256.85
Alaska Airlines	$184	$216	$196.67
Hawaiian Airlines	$170	$207	$194
Southwest Airlines	$227	$258	$242.58
JetBlue Airways	$142	$219	$194.83
Allegiant Air	$156	$222	$191
Virgin America	$160	$189	$176.17
Spirit Airlines	$102	$185	$149.85
Frontier Airlines	$119	$167	145.79
Sun Country Airlines	$103	$169	134.71

Which country is best for pilot training?

Top locations around the world that offer one of the best aviation programs are;

• United Kingdom
• Greece
• The Philippines
• Spain
• The Netherlands
• Kenya
• USA
• The Maldives
• Sri Lanka

About the Sponsor: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is a Frederick, Maryland-based American non-profit political organization that advocates for general aviation. The organization started at Wings Field in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. On 24 April 1932, The Philadelphia Aviation Country Club was founded at Wings Field.

In a nutshell, AOPA exists to serve the interests of its members as aircraft owners and pilots and to promote the economy, safety, utility, and popularity of flying general aviation aircraft. In 1971, the organization acquired the Airport World magazine and moved to Bethesda, Maryland.

The association offers many programs, which include the following:

• AOPA Foundation, which is a philanthropic arm of AOPA
• GA Serves America
• Legal Services Plan/Pilot Protection Services
• Air Safety Institute
• AOPA Political Action Committee

More About the AOPA Scholarships 2023

There are different types of AOPA Scholarships in 2024 for different categories of people ( students, teachers, and pilots).  Detailed information about each of the scholarship program are given below

#1. AOPA High School Flight Training Scholarship

This AOPA scholarship program is part of the AOPA You Can Fly program, a collection of initiatives to build a larger, more vibrant pilot community.

These grants are one of the major benefits of AOPA membership. They help members achieve their goals and enter the aerospace careers they’ve always dreamed of.

Scholars can use the money for direct flight training to obtain a Master Pilot Certificate.

Within one year of receiving a scholarship, they must achieve a flight training milestone on their own or with a significant pilot license.

Requirements

Before applying For this Flight Training Scholarship, here are some helpful tips to complete your application:

• High School Transcript
• Contact information for both references
• list of school and extracurricular clubs and organizations you have attended since the first year, as well as all relevant leadership positions (especially those involved in aviation)
• A list of the honors and awards you received while attending clubs and organizations
• several volunteer organizations in which you participate, as well as all the awards and honors you have received for participating since your first year of study (especially those related to aviation).
• Your logbook (if available)

We strongly recommend reading the terms and conditions and the frequently asked questions before completing your application.

#2. AOPA Teacher Flight Training Scholarship

This AOPA, You Can Fly program is awarded to up to 20 teachers. These teachers receive a $ 10,000 scholarship to earn their aviation certificates, such as a private pilot certificate, sports pilot certificate, or recreational pilot.

To be eligible for this AOPA Scholarship program, a teacher must be an AOPA member and a full-time employee of a school or school system that prepares students for a future in aviation.

Eligibility For AOPA Teacher Flight Training Scholarship

Scholarship applicants* must meet all the following criteria:

1.  Must currently be instructing students or providing a curriculum to teachers for students in preparation
   for a future in aviation.
2. Not have completed an FAA check-ride previously for a primary pilot certificate at the time of
   application.
3. Be the teacher of record for students or have direct supervision over curriculum and instruction
4. Provide a letter from his or her school verifying their employment in a school or school system during
   the 2024 school year and signed by a district administrator. If a district administrator is applying,
   the letter must be signed by another administrator in the same school system.

We strongly recommend that you read the frequently asked questions people do ask before completing your application.

Also, If you’re not an AOPA member, take advantage of our free 6-month student pilot membership or click here to review our membership options.

#3. AOPA Primary Flight Training Scholarship

AOPA’s Primary Flight Training scholarship range from $ 2,500 to $ 7,500. Current AOPA members at least 16 years old on the application deadline may apply. The Scholarship program award can be applied for training private pilots, sports pilots or recreational pilots.   Scholarship applicants* must meet all the following criteria:

1. Be at least 16 years of age by the time the application closes. There are no exceptions; if you are not 16 years old by April 2, 2024, you are not eligible to apply.
2. Secondly, Hold a current FAA Student Pilot Certificate at the time of application or have a pending Student Pilot.
   Certificate application in IACRA.
3.  Not have completed the FAA practical test/check-ride at the time of application.

We strongly encourage you to read the eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions before completing your application.

However, If you’re not an AOPA member, take advantage of our free 6-month student pilot membership or click here to review our membership options.

#4. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Advanced Rating Scholarship

To support outstanding pilots with career goals, the AOPA Foundation awards a scholarship of $ 3,000 to $ 10,000 for AOPA members who apply for one of the following classifications or certificates.

• Instrument (includes the $5,000 Dare to Fly with AOPA scholarship award)
• Commercial
• CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor)
• CFII (Certificated Flight Instructor – Instrument)
• MEI (Multi-Engine – Instructor)

Eligibility For Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Advanced Rating Scholarship

This AOPA Scholarship program applicants* must meet all the following criteria:
1. Meet the minimum age requirement, stated below, for the desired rating or certificate by the
application close date. There are no exceptions.
▪ Instrument – age 17 (includes applicants applying for the Dare to Fly with AOPA Instrument
Rating Scholarship)
▪ (Certificated Flight Instructor – Instrument) CFII – age 18
▪ MEI (Multi-Engine – Instructor) – age 18
2. Hold a minimum of an FAA Private Pilot Certificate at the time of application.
3. Be a newly certificated private pilot (within 24 calendar months) or have completed a flight
review by 14CFR 61.56.
However, We strongly encourage you to read the terms and conditions and frequently asked questions before completing your application and keep them close while you work on your application.

If you are not a paid AOPA member, click here for our paid membership options.

General Eligibility for Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Scholarships 

To be able to apply for any of the AOPA scholarships above, candidates must be:

1. A Current member of AOPA at both the time of application and when the scholarship is awarded. (Not a
   Member? AOPA offers free six-month membership for student pilots, an introductory membership, and other options.
2.  U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
3. Currently be a paid, full-time employee of a school or school system
4. Not have completed the FAA practical test/check-ride for the desired additional rating at the time of application.

AOPA Scholarships 2024 Application Deadline

Applications for AOPA Scholarships 2024 have closed for the year. It opened on January 4, 2024, and closed at 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 2, 2024.

This can also be obtainable annually. So do not forget to check again.

Conclusion

Yes! Learning how to fly can be exciting and fun, but taking it up as a career requires early learning. Flight training requires not just dedication to academics but also enough cash to able you obtain a pilot’s license.

It can cover the cost of any needed training, starting with a Private Pilot Certificate.

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