Flight Training Scholarships

LEARN TO FLY

The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is pleased to offer flight training scholarship opportunities. Supported by a grant from the Ray Foundation, these scholarships will provide up to $10,000 each to fund a student toward obtaining their Private Pilot’s License*. FAA requirements to gain a Private Pilot’s License can be reviewed on the FAA website.

The program overview and application can be downloaded below under Scholarship Forms.

General Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the scholarship:

Age – The scholarship is open to applicants ages 16-22
Location – Reno / Sparks / Carson City / Fallon area
Citizenship – Must be a legal US citizen
Health – Must be able to pass a Class III Medical Exam
Education
- Must proficiently read, write, speak, and understand the English language
- Must be enrolled in or have completed a qualified high school curriculum with a 2.75 or higher GPA
Flight Experience – applicant must complete a successful discovery flight of at least 30 minutes in a small general aviation aircraft with a certified flight instructor prior to being considered for the scholarship
FAA Written Exam – NOT REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION, however successful completion of the FAA Private Pilot Written Exam will give applicants an advantage over those who have not

Application Window

Applications will be accepted from December 1st through January 31st. Please download the overview and application documents below. Thoroughness and detail are important criteria in the application process, so please be sure to include all requested information.

Selection Process

Qualified applicants who meet all criteria and complete the application process will be scheduled for interviews. Interviews will be conducted from the opening of the application window through the end of February.

Awarded Scholarships*

Successful candidates who are awarded scholarships will be notified by April 15th.

For additional information, please see the FAQ below, or send an email to [email protected].

*RARA will award up to $10,000 toward a student’s PPL training. RARA does not directly conduct the training or select the candidate’s flight school, nor can it control the actual cost of training due to many factors. While every effort will be made to help reduce the overall cost, RARA cannot guarantee that the full cost of flight training will be covered by the $10,000 scholarship. Students should consult with their families and other sources to assist with additional funding should it become necessary.

Scholarship Posts

Reno Air Racing Association Announces Scholarship Winners

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…

Flight Training Scholarship Program Deadline Nears

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…

Reno Air Racing Association Flight Scholarship Application Window Opens Dec. 1

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…

Reno Air Racing Association Expands Donation Opportunities

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…

Scholarship Forms

The forms below contain important information regarding the scholarship process. Please download and read them thoroughly. Applications must be submitted ONLY to [email protected]. Applications received by any other means will be rejected.

Reno Air Racing Association Flight Training Scholarship Overview
Initial Application (Includes training up to first Solo Flight)
PPL Application (Available Soon; for submission AFTER successful Solo Flight)
Flight School / Provider Application

FAQs

Please review the items below as they contain answers to the most common questions regarding the scholarship program. A complete PDF overview of the scholarship process can be downloaded above.

How do I become a pilot?

There are many resources, but the official requirements are listed on the Official FAA website at https://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/

How many scholarships will be awarded?

The number of scholarships awarded will depend on available funding and qualified applicants. Up to 10 are available for the 2021-2022 application window.

How often are scholarships available?

We anticipate offering flight training scholarships annually. The window will open on December 1st each year and close on January 31st. Scholarship awards will take place by April 15th. Available scholarships will depend on the funding we receive each year, so please consider donating to the scholarship fund at www.airrace.org/donate.

In what region is the scholarship available?

The scholarship is available in the Reno / Sparks / Fallon / Carson City areas of Nevada and the Lake Tahoe region of California.

Is the scholarship available for anything besides Private Pilot?

At this time the scholarships are only for Private Pilot. We may add other certificates in the future.

What is the scholarship for?

The Reno Air Racing Association is providing scholarships for initial flight training to obtain a Private Pilot Certificate.

Who is eligible for the scholarship?

Any legal US Citizen in the Reno / Sparks / Fallon / Carson City area of Nevada and the Lake Tahoe region of California between the ages of 16 and 22 who is enrolled in or graduated from an approved high school curriculum with a 2.75 GPA or higher. Must also be able to fluently read, write, speak, and understand the English language and pass a Class III FAA Medical Exam.

Will the RARA FTS Scholarship cover the entire cost of a PPL?

While every effort will be made to reduce costs for our scholarship recipients, RARA cannot guarantee that the total cost of obtaining a Private Pilot’s License will be covered with our $10,000 scholarship due to many factors. Applicants should research means of supplemental funding prior to applying for and accepting the scholarship.