Expert: D. Norkus - 7/7/2010

Question
I'm trying to take private flying lessons and I am running out of money!!! Do you know anywhere I can go to get a grant or loan?

Answer
Angie

As a female pilot I suggest that you join the Ninety-Nines. The International organization and many chapters give flight scholarships. Once you are a member of at least a year (on Dec 1st of each year) you are eligible to apply for an Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship that will fund an entire pilot certificate or rating. Over the course of my 2 decades of membership I received about $9,000 worth of scholarships including 737 training. They are a great organization.

http://www.ninety-nines.org

Here is where you can find a database where most "99s" chapter scholarships are listed-
http://www.flightscholarship.info

Another place you might look is Women In Aviation as they also give many annual awards (deadline is Dec) http://www.WAI.org

Another thing is the faster you complete training, the more money you will save in the long run. This may mean not flying and saving up a while then flying consistently over a shorter period of time but it will reduce your overall training costs. Check out the PPL section of this link for more on that-

http://www.pilotcareer.info


You didn't mention your age, but if you are a young adult you might investiate the Civil Air Partol as another opportunity to get flight experience.

Hope this helps,
Dotttie