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 we administer:
- Chapter 179 Aviation Scholarships: For 2023 we awarded a total of nine scholarships totally over $24,000! 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 an aviation-related occupation.
- EAA Advanced Air Academy: In years past we have covered full tuition for 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. The application window is 1 Jan – 15 Feb 2022.
- EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship: In 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, EAA selected our chapter to award this prestigious scholarship of up to $10,000 to help student pilots age 15 – 19 achieve their Private Pilot certificate. We hope to continue to qualify for future grants. Applications for 2023 will open on 1 January 2023. See the flyer for details, QR code, and online application site.
Chapter 179 has awarded over $110.000 in scholarships to forty six recipients from 2017 through 2023, including Chapter 179 Scholarships and Air Academy Tuition. Since 2017 we qualified for participation in the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship program SIX times with grants up to $10,000 supporting our scholars to complete their Private Pilot certificate. 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 Scholarship; Double Eagle II Airport, 7401 Atrisco Vista Blvd NW #179, Albuquerque, NM 87120-6601”.