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✈️ How Dreams Take Flight: 2026 Private Pilot Scholarships
For many young people, the dream of flight feels just out of reach — admired from the ground, but difficult to access. In this Nonprofit Newspod, I sat down with Tom Jones, President & CEO of the Aerospace Museum of California, to share a powerful, time-sensitive opportunity that can turn that dream into reality.
The Aerospace Museum is now accepting applications for its 2026 Private Pilot License (PPL) Scholarships, awarding three $12,500 scholarships to highly motivated students ages 16–22 who are committed to pursuing a future in aviation. With the deadline just weeks away — February 14 (Valentine’s Day) — this is a moment students and families should not miss.
What makes this program truly unique is that it’s far more than a financial award. The scholarship is built as a structured pilot pipeline, supported by a hands-on committee of experienced pilots, aviation professionals, and air traffic controllers who not only select recipients — they mentor them through the process. The goal is simple and ambitious: help students complete their private pilot training within one year, with many finishing in as little as nine months.
Tom shared inspiring success stories, including a former scholarship recipient who progressed from earning her private pilot license to achieving her instrument rating and commercial pilot license — and now flies professionally. The program emphasizes motivation, discipline, and follow-through, with added consideration given to applicants already engaged in aviation through programs like Civil Air Patrol, EAA chapters, Sea Cadets, flight schools, or prior FAA testing.
Scholarship recipients also commit to volunteering at the Aerospace Museum, often in the Flight Zone, where advanced simulators provide hands-on experience — including the ability to log flight time toward future certifications.
One important takeaway: persistence matters. Students who apply multiple times and continue building their aviation experience are viewed favorably by the scholarship committee. Dedication, growth, and resilience count.
Applications close February 14, and full details — including eligibility requirements and the application portal — can be found at
aerospaceca.org/ppl-scholarship
This is how dreams take flight — literally.
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