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.
EAA Young Eagles
For youths ages 8-17, those who take an EAA Young Eagles flight is eligible to receive EAA benefits with:
- Free Student Membership in the national EAA organization, allowing access to all the available EAA online resources.
- Enrollment in the EAA national AeroEducate program.
- Enrollment in the Sporty’s Learn to Fly online ground school (a $299 value) with training toward passing the FAA written examination for the Private Pilot certificate.
- A reimbursement of up to $175 for the fee required to take the FAA Private Pilot written exam.
- After completing the first three volumes of the Sporty’s Learn to Fly course, a free flight lesson at a flight school of your choice (a $160 value).
Added Ground School
For many individuals, the Sporty’s Learn to Fly online course is only the first step in gaining the knowledge required to complete flight training as well as to pass the FAA written exam. In most cases, it is helpful to be taking flight lessons concurrently with ground school in order to better understand the complexities of aerodynamics, airspace, navigation, and similar topics.
Therefore, EAA Chapter 1541 is offering a scholarship opportunity through our Richard and Susan Bristow Youth Scholarship Fund. The chapter will reimburse a student for a qualified in-person ground school for tuition costs up to $500.
To Qualify for This Ground School Scholarship:
- Be an active member of our local EAA Chapter 1541 (free for students 19 and under).
- Be 16-19 years of age.
- Take a Young Eagles flight with our chapter (or any chapter).
- Satisfactorily complete the first three volumes of the Sporty’s Learn to Fly online ground school course
- Enroll and satisfactorily complete an EAA chapter pre-approved and qualified in-person local-area ground school, present completion documentation, and paid receipt for the cost of the school dated after 2/1/2025.
Once these conditions are met, the chapter will reimburse the student for up to $500 of the in-person ground school tuition. Completing both the Sporty’s Learn to Fly online course and the in-person ground school should help cement the knowledge foundation needed to be a safe pilot and pass the FAA written.
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 Ground School Scholarship program. EAA Chapter 1541 reserves the right to use its own discretion in the award of this scholarship. One Ground School 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 “Ground School” Scholarship.
(Use this link for a printable copy of this “Get Started” Scholarship Information page)