NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
“Flying is My Passion, Inspiration is My Mission” – Maria Harrison-DooleyFemale pilots still account for only 7% of the US pilot population, despite decades of attempts to fix the problem. The purpose of this organization, founded by KW Chair Maria Harrison-Dooley, is to encourage young girls and women of all ages to open their hearts and minds to their full potential and help their dreams take flight. To support that mission through a scholarship fund, which awards scholarships to women of all ages through membership in The 99s International Organization of Women Pilots and online PPL ground school training.
ANOTHER NEW ENGLAND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The Aero Club of New England is the oldest aviation club in America and has an active scholarship program providing aid to students interested in a career in aviation. Through this program, over $240,000 in aviation scholarships have been awarded since 1987. This year the maximum Flight Training award is $5,000. Applications are being sent to colleges in New England with an aviation science program, and to all New England flying schools. To qualify for these scholarships the applicant must be:
1. A New England resident
2. Use the scholarship funds in one year
3. At least 16 years of age
4. Intending to pursue a professional aviation career
5. In possession of a current medical certificate
6. Training in a New England facility doing business as a flight school.
All applications must be returned completed and with any required supplemental materials by the close of business on the last Friday of March within any given calendar year to Aeroclub of New England.
Some applications are available at Emerson Aviation at Laconia Airport. Please feel free to stop by or call, to review or pick up an application. Email Staci for more information.
MENTORING the Next Generation of Women Professional Pilots
Attention women from all professional pilot career fields, backgrounds, and experience levels: the Professional Pilot Leadership Initiative (PPLI) is for you!
Sponsored by The Ninety-Nines Inc. International Organization of Women Pilots, the PPLI program is designed to accelerate the advancement of women in pilot careers, and highly motivated participants receive one-on-one mentoring, learn new career skills, share what they know with others, and become active participants and leaders in the aviation community.
PPLI Captains, who are “pilot-in-command” of their careers yet in need of guidance, are matched to Navigators, who have progressed sufficiently in their own pilot careers to mentor another. In a structured mentoring format conducted via email and phone, the Navigator assists the Captain as she develops self-selected core skills, which could include defining pilot career options, reducing checkride anxiety, and balancing family and work, with emphasis on developing leadership skills and experience.
PPLI Captain applicants commit to a yearlong leadership development program, while Senior Navigators mentor for one or more half-year sessions. All are 99s (new members welcome!) pursuing any pilot career.
Details are on their website. For more information on pilot careers, networking mentoring and scholarships visit the pilot career center page.