UAV/UAS Certification FREE for military, first responders, high school students and educators
Global Robot and Drone Deployment (GRADD), the Nevada Business Aviation Association (NVBAA) and Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) have been partners for the successful GRADD-NVBAA STEM Discovery Zone at the STIHL National Championship Air Races since 2015. In addition to their work in STEM education, did you know that NVBAA offers FAA Part 107 Pilot Training? In fact, the training if FREE if you fall into one of these categories:
Military veterans and their families,
Public safety officers, and
High school educators / high school students
The world of UAV/UAS is expanding exponentially every day, and there is a tremendous need for qualified operators. There is no better time to get your FAA Part 107 certification and join this amazing world! NVBAA’s summer LIVE 9-week instructor-led webinar training series begins July 2nd. Fun and informative, this is a series that will fully prepare you for your Part 107 written exam. A 31 question interactive quiz is even included at the conclusion of each Saturday’s training calls to review the content of the day. Attend NVBAA’s weekly training calls, complete their online course and you’re guaranteed to pass the FAA Part 107 Exam! Here is what you’ll learn during the series:
Schedule of Events
Sept 3 – FAA 14 CFR Part 107 Rules & Regulations
Sept 10 – National Airspace System (NAS) & Aeronautical Charts
Sept 10 – Workshop – Demystifying Aeronautical Charts (starts immediately after the regular Part 107 training session)
Sept 17 – Aviation Weather Sources
Sept 24 – Loading and Performance
Oct 1 – Crew Resource Management
Oct 8 – Airport and Field Operations
Oct 15 – Radio Communication and Emergency Procedures
Oct 22 – Pre-flight, FAA Authorizations and Waiver Requests
Oct 22 – Workshop – How to Make Money, Get Gigs & Full-time Jobs as a Part 107 Pilot (starts immediately after the regular Part 107 training session)
Oct 29 – FAA New Rules -Final Kahoot Competition
Don’t wait – click the links below to sign up for one of the best FAA Part 107 training programs in the business:
Reno Air Racing Association Launches $100k Fundraiser for Scholarships
The Reno Air Racing Association’s (RARA) 2022 Flight Training Scholarship recipients are all in training, and the program is going fantastic! We’re pleased to report that all ten students have begin their training and several even expect to be complete by the time the STIHL National Championship Air Races come around on September 14th, 2022. So, it’s time to start getting the program fueled up for the next round! This year, RARA is pleased to announce that we will be once again offering flight training scholarships, and that we will also be adding Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic scholarships!
Our vision is to Establish the National Championship Air Races as a pinnacle of inspiration, education, and exhilaration for people of all ages. To further this vision we are taking on the mission to raise $100,000 for our scholarship program, and we need your help to get there! Please consider a donation today – any amount will help, and you will help us in our Racing for the Future campaign to get as many young people engaged as possible, using the excitement of the Reno Air Races as the inspiration to explore the many valuable careers in aviation.
Contributions are tax-deductible, and you can help us make dreams come true!
RENO, Nev. (April 19, 2022) – Today the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) proudly announced the recipients of their inaugural Flight Training Scholarship. Ten students were selected from an impressive field of applicants residing in Reno and the surrounding area including Carson City, Fallon and Truckee.
Supported by a fundraising campaign and matching grant from the Ray Foundation, scholarships were opened to 15–22-year-olds.
“With the success of our NVBAA / GRADD sponsored STEM education area during Race Week each year, it made sense to expand that reach to actual flight training for local youth,” said Fred Telling, President and CEO for RARA. “Flight training used to be something a summer job could pay for, but in today’s economy that really isn’t possible anymore. We are thrilled to be able to provide this path to deserving young people to help them realize their dreams of flight.”
Ten aspiring young pilots have been awarded scholarships to help achieve their Private Pilot License (PPL). Modeled after successful programs at SUN ‘n FUN’s Aerospace Center for Excellence, AOPA and EAA, the program implements best practices and administrative policies to ensure the best chance of success for the young pilots in training. In addition to the training itself, the scholarship ensures that mentors are available to help the students with specific challenges during their journey.
The 2022 Reno Air Racing Association Flight Training Scholarship recipients are:
Koree Bostrom Jonathon Burleson Clinton Dewitt Hunter Drost Patrick Fredrickson Xavier Frock Annaliese Hornback Kurtis LeMay Justin Pedersen Thomas Vann
“Providing these scholarships not only gives these students an opportunity to learn to fly, but also shows that that the Reno Air Races are fully invested in contributing more to the future of flight than just inspiration on the track,” said Greg Gibson, Scholarship Coordinator for RARA.
The scholarships are awarded in two parts; first the student receives the funding to solo, then upon achieving that milestone they receive access to the funds to complete their PPL.
“Flight training will begin over the summer months, and the students are expected to be well underway with lots to report in September when Race Week comes around,” said Gibson. “They will be official ambassadors to this year’s STIHL National Championship Air Races and be able to meet the pilots and share their journey and accomplishments with our race fans.”
Scholarships are planned to be awarded annually, with the application window opening in December each year. For more information, visit airrace.org/flight-training-scholarships/.
-###-
About the STIHL National Championship Air Races The STIHL National Championship Air Races are held every September just north of Reno by the Reno Air Racing Association, a 501(c)(3). The event has become an institution for Northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world with seven racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civilian flight demonstrations. Independent economic impact studies show that the event generates as much as $100 million annually for the local economy. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, visit AirRace.org.
We’re nearing the end of January, and that means that the application window for Flight Training Scholarships will close soon. Applicants will need to submit their applications for the Reno Air Racing Association’s inaugural Flight Training Scholarship (FTS) Program by January 31st at the latest. The program is supported by a grant from the Ray Foundation, Inc., and will initially provide up to ten scholarships to students.
In order to apply, applicants must fulfil a specific set of criteria. For starters, they have to be between ages 16-22 and located in Northern Nevada. Academically, they must pass a Class III Medical Exam, maintain a 2.75 GPA or higher and complete a 30-minute discovery flight. Specific eligibility requirements can be found at airrace.org/flight-training-scholarships.
The scholarship will be awarded in two parts; the first phase will fund the student up through their first solo flight. The balance will be awarded once the solo and FAA written exam have been successfully completed. The student can then complete the requirements and final FAA check-ride to achieve their private pilot’s license. We’ll be rooting for you the entire way!
Following a review process, qualified applicants will be interviewed, and the final awards will be announced in March 2022. The scholarship program was officially announced during the STIHL National Championship Air Races opening ceremonies on Sept. 16, 2021.
More information on the scholarship will be available soon at www.airrace.org.
RENO, Nev. (December 1, 2021) – The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) announced today that the application window for its inaugural Flight Training Scholarship (FTS) Program will open Dec. 1, 2021. Supported in part by a grant from the Ray Foundation, Inc., the program will provide up to ten scholarships initially to students aged 16–20.
Fred Telling, CEO of RARA, stated that this is one of several initiatives in progress that are designed to add year-round depth and scope to the excitement and tradition of the annual STIHL National Championship Air Races.
“We want to become more than just a once-per-year racing event. Our Flight Training Scholarships will follow on the success we have seen in our STEM Expositions during Race Week, and we can use that success to engage young people and provide a valuable, substantial education and training resource year-round that can lead to a career in aviation. In the 1970s a person could pay for flight training with just a summer job, but in this day and age the cost can be prohibitive. We hope this scholarship program can help some deserving students overcome that challenge.”
The scholarships will provide funding for a student to achieve their Private Pilot License (PPL). The recipients will be selected by a committee comprised of members from the RARA Board of Directors, and during their year-long journey toward gaining their flight certificates they will have the support and guidance of several volunteer mentors from the RARA organization and the surrounding community.
“Awarding the scholarship is just the first step. We also want to be very present in the student’s progress to help them attain their goal,” said Telling. “Having a mentor available to fill in the blanks when they have questions outside of formal instruction is very helpful in assuring their success.”
Applications will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2022. Each application received will be screened for completion, accuracy, and qualification. Qualified applicants will then be interviewed, and the final awards will be announced in April 2022. The scholarship program was officially announced during the STIHL National Championship Air Races opening ceremonies on Sept. 16, 2021.
The scholarship will be awarded in two parts; the first phase will fund the student up through their first solo flight, and the balance will be awarded once the solo and FAA written exam have been successfully completed. The student can then complete the requirements and final FAA check-ride to achieve their private pilot’s license.
Applicant information and documents are available at www.airrace.org.
-###-
About the STIHL National Championship Air Races The STIHL National Championship Air Races are held every September just north of Reno by the Reno Air Racing Association, a 501(c)(3). The event has become an institution for Northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world with seven racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civilian flight demonstrations. Independent economic impact studies show that the event generates as much as $100 million annually for the local economy. For more information on the National Championship Air Races, visit AirRace.org.
RENO, Nev. (November 29, 2021) – With a successful 57th STIHL National Championship Air Races now in the books, the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is turning its attention to extending its impact and preserving its legacy. COO Tony Logoteta shared that the organization is introducing a wider range of giving opportunities to help the not-for-profit deliver broader service to both aviation and the local community.
“Our return to racing this year got us well down the road to recovery,” he said. “We still have work to do, but we are shifting our focus from survival to sustainability. Adding education and training support to the lineup alongside our legacy donation options provides our supporters a wider variety of choices to consider when making their gifts.”
RARA’s Save the Races donation campaign in 2020 yielded a little over $460,000 to help overcome the ravages of the COVID pandemic. Supporters generously gave to the cause, and Logoteta is humbled by the support received during a difficult year.
“It’s important that those who helped us stay afloat during our time of need know how much we appreciate their efforts. We are committed to preserving the STIHL National Championship Air Races as well as expanding our impact by creating more opportunities for young people to engage and be inspired to pursue a career in aviation.”
Chairman and CEO Fred Telling announced RARA’s new Flight Training Scholarship during Race Week in September. “The last part of our mission statement is ‘we’re committed to delivering a safe, entertaining, and exhilarating experience for fans while also honoring our military, inspiring our youth, and strengthening our community, economy, and culture,’” he quoted. “By adding these scholarships, we’re creating another level of engagement to go beyond just inspiration and actually help young people realize their dreams.”
The application window for the flight scholarship program will open on December 1.
With Giving Tuesday kicking off year-end donations on November 30, RARA is encouraging people to consider making their year-end contributions to one of several options. Donors can contribute to: the area of greatest need, flight scholarships, STEM education, sending military members to the races, and the National Aviation Heritage Invitational, whose mission is to ensure aviation history is kept alive by encouraging the restoration and preservation of vintage aircraft to flying condition.
Telling is grateful for past donors and is optimistic about broadening RARA’s base. “We have been very successful with donations from many, many generous people over the years. By expanding our service scope and offering several alternatives, we hope even more people will find something in our selections that aligns with their desire to give.”
About the STIHL National Championship Air Races The STIHL National Championship Air Races are held every September just north of Reno by the Reno Air Racing Association, a 501(c)(3). The event has become an institution for Northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world with seven racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civilian flight demonstrations. Independent economic impact studies show that the event generates as much as $100 million annually for the local economy. For more information on the STIHL National Championship Air Races, visit AirRace.org.
