Expert: Jeff Davis - 12/12/2007

Question
I was wondering if you could help me find a scholarship for a 16 year old who wants to get his private pilots license.  He has been to two summer camps and has passed his written test.  He wants to become a commercial pilot through Embry Riddle.  He plans on getting his teaching certificates so he can be a student teacher.  Before he even graduates from High School the cost will be at least 25,000.  A scholarship would be greatly appreciated.  I am having a hard time finding any available since he is still in High School.  Flying is his passion and I want to help him.  Can you please help me to help him?  Thank you for your time! Lori

Answer
I understand your plight, Lori.  The biggest drawback to flight training is that it is very expensive, as you have obviously found out.  Let me begin with a disclaimer: I am not an expert in the area in which you are asking for help.  If you read the profiles of some of the other experts on AllExperts you will find some that are probably better-qualified than I to answer your question.  I suspect that you have done a lot of research about scholarships, and I probably can't find opportunities that you're not aware of.  Before answering your question I did visit AOPA.org and searched their site for "scholarship," and it returned 497 hits.  I know that AOPA itself offers a couple of scholarships, and they may have information on other available assistance for students.  If you haven't checked out their site, you should, they have a lot of information about many facets of aviation.  Finally, I would suggest that your son (?) consider training at some place other than a big-name flight school.  Embry-Riddle is a great school, and so are some of the others, but the flight schools put a very high mark-up on their product.  Don't be fooled into believing that only the big flight schools offer quality flight training.  When I was seeking my commercial license I called a small airport in hopes that somebody there might at least understand the term "commercial license."  It turned out that it was a one man operation, and the gentleman was as highly-qualified a flight instructor as any I have ever known.  He took me through the commercial and flight instructor ratings, teaching both the ground school and the in-air instruction, and he was a designated FAA Pilot Examiner, which enabled him to administer the check rides and issue the ratings to me.  All of the instruction was one-on-one and he was extremely knowledgeable in all areas of aviation.  In addition, I paid by the hour, and he was aware of my limited resources and worked with me to hold costs to a minimum.  I hope you're able to find some help, as aviation needs motivated young people to join the fold.  If you have more specific questions, or if I can assist you in some way, please feel free to e-mail me at jeffrey.davis@ots.treas.gov.  In the meantime, I would suggest trying one or more of the better-qualified AllExperts, and checking out AOPA's web site.  Best of luck to you and your 16 year old!