Virginia High School Students Offered FREE Flight School, Applications Due January 25

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Virginia Space Grant Consortium, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Liberty University, Averett University and the Virginia Department of Aviation, is offering flight academies for selected high school students statewide in response to the looming national shortage of airline pilots and the growing need for aviation maintenance technicians and air traffic controllers.

This program will allow students to explore aviation career fields while learning to fly! The Commonwealth of Virginia is providing funding that permits the Pathways Flight Academies program to be offered free of charge to participants.

The Pathways Flight Academies will immerse students in learning to fly while discovering the range of exciting aviation career opportunities available. Four, two-week residential academies will be offered during the summer of 2019 for selected students who have shown an interest in and passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM), in addition to career aspirations to become a pilot.

Students admitted to this intensive program will undertake ground school and flight training that can culminate in their first solo flight at the end of the academy.  Twenty-four students will be chosen for the summer 2019 Pathways Flight Academies.

2019 Academy dates:

May 28 – June 8: Liberty University

July 7 – 20: Averett University

July 8 – 19: Liberty University

July 22 – August 2: Liberty University

Eligibility:

Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA, be U.S. citizens, Virginia residents and 16 years old by the start of the Academy. They must also be able to pass an FAA flight physical exam.

For more information, contact Kris Kennedy, Program Coordinator, Virginia Space Grant Consortium, [email protected], 757.766.5210