RENO, NEV. – Earlier this month, Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) proudly announced the 2023 recipients of the second annual Flight Training Scholarship (FTS) program.
“’Racing for the Future’ is more than just a saying – it’s a mindset our association has in order to facilitate the future of aviation in our local youth,” said Fred Telling, Reno Air Racing Association CEO. “Through these scholarships, we can continue to foster a love for aviation while helping to ‘STEM’ the pilot shortage. We’re thankful for the Ray Foundation and the gifts from various donors for helping us make this scholarship program possible for a second year.”
These 10 recipients will be awarded up to $10,000 toward their private pilot license. In order to be considered for a scholarship, these students must be between 16-20 years old, maintain a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and be a resident of Reno or its surrounding areas.
The 2023 Reno Air Racing Association Flight Training Scholarship recipients are:
“Getting to know our award winners throughout this year’s application process has been an absolute joy,” said Greg Gibson, Reno Air Racing Association scholarship coordinator. “They are smart, motivated and inspiring. We know the future of STEM and aerospace is better because they will be part of the next generation of pilots.”
This scholarship program began last year and has enabled several recipients to complete the necessary training and successfully obtain their private pilots license. While the search for a new venue is underway, the scholarship program is not going anywhere. RARA plans to continue the scholarship program to help enable and encourage the next generation of aviators to soar.
For those interested in donating or learning more about RARA’s scholarship efforts:
Following on the success of our inaugural year for offering aviation scholarships, the Reno Air Racing Association will be opening the application window for 2023 in early February. We’d like to congratulate our 2022 RARA Scholarship Squadron for their accomplishments, and look forward to introducing you to our next group of RARA Scholars! Please visit www.airrace.org/ for more details!
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/.
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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.
