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Pathways Flight Academies Application Period is Open

Virginia Space Grant Consortium, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Averett University, Aviation Adventures, 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 and the Virginia Department of Aviation are both 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. Academies will be offered during the summer of 2021 for selected students who have shown a passion for their career aspirations in becoming a commercial pilot as well as an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM).

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 were chosen for the summer 2019 Pathways Flight Academies and thirty students were chosen for the summer 2020 Pathways Flight Academies.

Students who are accepted into this program will be assigned to a flight school geographically near their location. The program does not guarantee a specific distance to the flight school from each student’s home, but will make every effort to select a flight school located within a reasonable commuting distance. The student must attend every day of flight training at their assigned school based on a schedule to be determined after acceptance.

Students must make themselves fully available for all activities between June 21 and July 16, 2021 for full participation in the program.

We are pleased to be partnering with outstanding Virginia Flight Training schools for this program.  Averett University and Aviation Adventures have outstanding facilities for aviation education and flight training and operate FAA-Approved Part 141 flight schools offering classes for both a Private Pilot Certificate and Commercial Pilot Certificate.

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 and have local transportation to their assigned flight school.

Submission Deadline

The submission deadline for the program is February 28, 2021.

For more information visit Pathways Flight Academies.