celebrating successful completion of his check ride, now the proud holder of a
Private Pilot license.
Congratulations.
EAA Chapter 179 is dedicated to introducing youth to aviation and supporting advancement of their aviation education through scholarships. Click on the following links for information and application instructions for the three programs that we administer:
- Chapter 179 Aviation Scholarships: For 2024 we awarded scholarships totaling $33,000! These cover expenses related to flight training, A&P certification, or other educational programs for New Mexico applicants up to 25 years of age, pursuing a future in aviation. Applications are accepted via our Aviation Scholarship program, Jan 1 – Feb 15 each year.
- EAA Advanced Air Academy: EAA 179 covers full tuition for a New Mexico youth ages 16 – 18 to this week-long program in Oshkosh, Wisconsin which overlaps with EAA’s AirVenture, the world’s biggest aviation celebration. Applications are accepted via our Aviation Scholarship program, Jan 1 – Feb 15 each year. More details.
- EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship: In 2019, 2020, 2021 2022, 2023, and 2024, EAA selected our chapter to award this prestigious scholarship of up to $12,000 to help student pilots age 15 – 19 achieve their Private Pilot certificate in glider or powered airplane. We hope to continue to qualify for these annual grants.
Chapter 179 has awarded over $130.000 in scholarships to fifty-five recipients from 2017 through 2024, including Chapter 179 Scholarships, Air Academy Tuition, and EAA’s Ray Scholarships. Since 2017 we qualified for participation in the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship program nine times with grants up to $12,000 supporting our scholars to complete their Private Pilot certificate.
Scholarship Recipient History
For grant history and inspiring stories of past 179 scholarship recipients, click here.
Funding Relies on Generous Donors
Chapter scholarships are funded by a combination of donations and from funds from activities throughout the year. We’re proud to say that most recipients have proceeded towards their goals.
Like what you see? Want to Contribute? We appreciate donations of any amount to our main scholarship fund, the Bob Hartman Memorial Scholarship, Jay Schmitt Memorial Scholarship, “Doc” Weaver Memorial Scholarship, or Reimer Memorial Scholarship funds. Chapter 179 is a 501c(3) tax exempt charitable organization. Donate online or send a check to “EAA 179 Scholarships; Double Eagle II Airport, 7401 Atrisco Vista Blvd NW #179, Albuquerque, NM 87120-6601”.