EAA Chapter 1541 wants to partner with young people taking their first steps toward flying for fun or as a profession. For those seeking to start by training to become a Private Pilot, there are five requirements to complete training: obtain an FAA Medical Certificate, receive a Student Pilot certificate, pass an FAA written exam, pass an FAA oral examination, and pass an FAA practical flight test. There are minimum requirements for medical certification, ground school, and flight training.
Flight Training Medical Certificate
Obtaining an FAA Medical Certificate is the first major step toward flight training. Depending upon a student’s reasons for learning to fly, it is prudent to make sure he or she meets the minimum medical requirements of the First Class (airline pilot, etc.), Second Class (commercial pilot, etc.) or Third Class (flight instructor, private pilot, etc.) certificates. Before any potential pilot begins flight training, the FAA requirements for medical certification should be understood. Before spending time and money on flight training, visit this FAA webpage and consider obtaining a medical certificate first. Our chapter wants to help new flight training students with this important step by reimbursing them for part of the costs of obtaining the required medical certificate.
Headset and Flight Training Materials
A good aviation headset is essential in providing the best environment in flying an aircraft. There are a wide variety of headsets available within a large price range. Our chapter wants to provide a reimbursement allowance for the purchase of an aviation headset to suit the student’s requirements. (And, we can provide information about what is a good headset fit for a student pilot.)
There are other written resources available that will greatly assist the student pilot. Our chapter will provide a reimbursement for obtaining some of these resources.
To Qualify for This “Get Started” Scholarship:
- Be an active member of our local EAA Chapter 1541 (free for students 19 and under).
- Be a member of the national EAA organization (free Student membership for those 19 and under).
- Be 16-21 years of age.
- Be enrolled in a chapter-approved flight training course in the local area with at least 3.0 hours of dual flight instruction received from a qualified flight instructor and documented in the student pilot’s flight logbook.
What EAA Chapter 1541 Can Provide:
Once these conditions are met, EAA Chapter 1541, through the Richard and Susan Bristow Youth Scholarship Fund, will:
- Reimburse the student for up to $200 of the fee charged to secure at least a Third-Class Medical Certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner (receipt and copy of certificate dated after 2/1/25 required).
- Reimburse the student for up to $200 toward the cost of an aviation headset (receipt dated after 2/1/25 required).
- Reimburse the student for up to $100 for flight training resources (books, charts, etc.) (receipt required).
Please contact our chapter at eaa1541@gmail.com with questions about any aspect of flight training, other scholarship opportunities, and to check on the availability and application process for this “Get Started” Scholarship program. EAA Chapter 1541 reserves the right to use its own discretion in the award of this scholarship. One “Get Started” Scholarship per person only.
To submit an application for this scholarship, download this fillable .pdf application form, complete it, and send as an email attachment to eaa1541@gmail.com with the subject line “Get Started” Scholarship.
(Use this link for a printable copy of this “Get Started” Scholarship Information page)