ABLE FLIGHT SCHOLARSHIPS
Above all, candidates must be dedicated to the idea that they, too, can change their lives by learning to fly or training for a career in aviation. Able Flight encourages people with a variety of physical disabilities to apply for a scholarship.
Learning to fly is a demanding endeavor, with long hours of ground school study and many hours in the air. This is not a program for those who seek a “weekend adventure” experience, but a program for people who are willing to work hard and remain committed to earning the privilege of becoming a pilot. It’s not easy, in fact, it is demanding and challenging, and that’s by design. We want our pilots to be safe and competent, so training goes well beyond the minimum standards required by the FAA.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates for all scholarships will complete the appropriate application form, including an essay on how they feel the scholarship would change their life. Following an initial review, finalists for Full and Career Training Scholarships will appear for an in-person interview to be conducted near their home. Finalists for a Return To Flight Scholarship will have a phone interview. Able Flight will then select and notify the award recipients.
The Able Flight Flight Training Scholarship covers ground and flight training, testing, travel and lodging expenses as required. Applicants for a full scholarship must be available to travel for training for a six to eight week period, and applicants for the Return To Flight scholarship must be available to travel for a one to two week training period.
After their selection, Able Flight Flight Training Scholarship winners will receive a complete online Sport Pilot knowledge course (ground school) which they will complete at home prior to flight training. During the intensive flight training course, students will learn to fly a Light Sport Airplane according to the FAA’s Sport Pilot requirements.This challenging training program typically consists of 40 flight hours in addition to the comprehensive ground school study, and will prepare the student for flight under Sport Pilot Rules. Students who successfully complete all ground and flight training requirements and pass both the written and flight exams receive a Sport Pilot certificate.