(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by the EAA).

Through a chapter application process with the Experimental Aircraft Association, EAA Chapter 551 has been awarded, for a third year in row, to be an EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship Chapter for the 2021 program. This program is administered by the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh, WI.

The Ray Aviation Scholars program provides up to $10,000 scholarships to young people who are seeking to learn to fly. The Ray Foundation has provided $1.2 million to fund the scholarship program, which seeks to improve the flight training success rate from the current industry standards of 20 percent to 80 percent for program participants. Local EAA chapters are responsible for identifying youth for the Ray Aviation Scholarship program and mentoring them through flight training. The Ray Foundation is furthering the legacy of James Ray, an EAA lifetime member who was dedicated to aviation and youth education. 

The scholarship is designed to support a flight student through both written and practical segments of flight training that are part of successful FAA pilot certification.

EAA chapters play a critical role in the success of the Ray Aviation Scholarship program. Chapters interested in participating are prequalified by EAA through an application process. If selected, they mentor and support the scholarship recipient throughout their flight training journey. Once selected as a Ray Aviation Scholarship Fund participant, candidates also commit to volunteer service with the local EAA chapter.

One youth has been pre-selected for the 2021 EAA Chapter 551 Ray Aviation Scholarship Program and will be completing their final application to EAA in the near future.

EAA Chapter 551 is looking for youths age 14-18 years along with their parents who are interested in aviation to attend an upcoming EAA Chapter 551 Program meeting. If interested in becoming Chapter members, the Scholarship Committee will work with motivated youth to gain leadership skills through Chapter related activities. The Scholarship Committee looks for Chapter involvement and a sincere interest in aviation for selecting future EAA Chapter 551 Ray Aviation Scholars for year 2022 and beyond, should EAA Chapter 551 be selected as an EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship Chapter again in the future.

EAA Chapter 551 is one of 900 local chapters of the Experimental Aircraft Association, the world’s largest organization for recreational flying. It meets at the SCSU Aero Club Hangar at the St. Cloud Regional Airport on the third Monday evening of the month. 

More information on EAA Chapter 551 is available at https://chapters.eaa.org/eaa551.