Expert: D. Norkus - 8/22/2007

Question
What scholarships are available to women trying to get their pilots license? I have completed some of my ground school, but work full time in a bank and cant really afford my flight training by myself.  Help.

Answer
Vienna

Your best chance for a flight scholarship or grant for flight training will be through the International Organization of Women Pilots, aka the "Ninety-Nines". The organization offers scholarships as do many individual Ninety-Nines chapters. Unfortunately, you will still have to fund the majority of your training but you can probably find grants between $500-$1,500 to help defray the cost.

They offer a "New Pilot Award"  to assist "Future Woman Pilot" members in their organization with a need for financial assistance to become licensed pilots. This award may provide up to $1500 toward completion of the Recreational Pilot, Sport Pilot, or Private Pilot certificate in any aircraft. To qualify, you MUST be a student pilot member or "FWP" of any Ninety-Nines chapter.You also must have demonstrated your commitment by  having soloed, must have a current medical certificate and must have passed the written exam.

With one year of membership in the Ninety-Nines, you qualify to apply for an "Amelia Earhart Grant". If selected as a recipient, the AE Grant will pay the entire cost of one advanced pilot certificate or rating (anything other then the Private).

You can get info about the Ninety-Nines and the AE Grant here- http://www.ninety-nines.org

Regarding other awards and grants, you can find my listing of all other flight scholarships I know of (ninety-Nines plus others) at this link- http://www.flightscholarship.info

Regarding your training:
To do your Private Pilot for the LEAST amount of money, you really need to do it in the most condensed amount of time!

Stretching out your training can easily double the cost you will have to pay to complete your Private. Read what I have to say about that here-
http://www.geocities.com/av8trxx99/PPLcosts.html

The actual price it will cost you depends HEAVILY on the time (hourly aircraft & instructor fees) you actually take to finish and the hourly costs for the aircraft and instructor. Many schools advertise a price for the PPL, but that only cover the 40 hour student. If they go over that, then it costs more.

An example cost break down if your training was completed in the FAA MINIMUM required time (40 hours) with some really good rental rates:
* Third Class Medical $65
* 40 hours C172 rental @ $80/hr = $3,200
* 30 hours Flight Instruction @ $30/hr = $900
* Misc pilot supplies (see list) $300
* FAA Computerized Written Exam Fee $70
* Examiner fee $250
_____________________
Private Pilot cost = $4,785


A student that finishes their training closer to the national average of 65 hours flight time will pay approximately $7,535.
* Third Class Medical $65
* 65 hours C172 rental @ $80/hr = $5,200
* 55 hours Flight Instruction @ $30/hr = $1,650
* Misc pilot supplies $300
* FAA Computerized Written Exam Fee $70
* Examiner fee $250
_____________________
Private Pilot cost = $7,535

Some areas of the country or certain airport have very pricey rental rates. Shop around before you commit. Check into any flying clubs in your area as they are often less expensive as they have no staff or overhead to pay for.

Figure costs with your rental rates here- http://www.firstflight.com/features/costCalculator.htm

Example supplies needed:
Jeppesen Private Pilot Manual $72
"FAR/AIM" book (regulations & operating rules) $19
Pilot logbook $13
Navigation Plotter $11
An "E6B" Flight Computer $13
Sectional Chart $8
PPL Written Test Study Guide $18
PPL Oral Exam Guide $22
PPL Practical Test Standards Book $6
... and a Flight Bag to hold it all!

Hope this helps.
Dottie