The Air Force JROTC Flight Academy, Chief of Staff Private Pilot Scholarship program, is an approximately 8-week summer aviation training program, conducted at partnering universities nationwide. Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded a Private Pilot’s Certification -- for FREE!!  The Flight Academy is intended to inspire and encourage high school youth toward aviation careers.  Additionally, the experience of learning to fly will positively improve your student's life and help shape their personal development, academic endeavors, and career aspirations.  And, believe it or not, this program does NOT require ANY military service obligations following high school!!  And, it is worth repeating that participation is FREE!!

The scholarship program is a collaborative effort between the aerospace industry and the Air Force to address a national pilot shortage.  Currently, Boeing predicts an annual need to hire 6,000 civilian pilots a year for the next 20 years.  Military needs to quickly push that number over 8,000.  According to industry and military leadership, the nation is facing a pilot shortage “crisis."

The Flight Academy also addresses a secondary national issue of diversity. Aviation is one of the least diverse professions in industry. Currently, women make up less than 7% of pilots and minorities represent less than 12%. Air Force Junior ROTC currently has almost 100,000 cadets enrolled in high schools across the nation and is the Air Force’s most diverse program. Minorities represent 58% of the Air Force Junior ROTC student body and females make up 40%. Cadets selected for the flight academy represented female and minorities more than three times the national averages. 

The inaugural year of the Flight Academy was Summer 2018, where 120 cadets attended six universities.  In 2019, Air Force Junior ROTC expanded the program and awarded scholarships to 150 students.  However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the selectees were unable to participate in flight training as planned during the summer of 2020.  Fortunately, the program resumed during the summer of 2021 and our very own Cadet Talia Lemyre worked tirelessly to earn her private pilot's license (which she successfully did!!). 

For the summer 2023 program, the number of scholarships to be awarded is 300!  Selected cadets will attend a flight school during the upcoming summer at one of 24 partnering universities with an embedded flight training program.  Air Force Junior ROTC’s primary mission is to develop citizens of character, in this aspect, students have a chance to earn their private pilot’s license, gain a positive college experience and receive 12 college credits. 

The AFJROTC Flight Academy program is taking applications through 14 Nov 22 from qualified sophmores, juniors, and seniors who will be at least 17 years old by 31 July 2023.  Selected applicants will receive a full scholarship to attend an 8 week program at a partnering University during the summer of 2023.  The scholarship is valued at over $22,500.  Additionally, students will earn college credit and their FAA private pilot certificate (if they successfully complete the program).

Is your cadet ready to aim higher than they ever have before?  Here's their chance!!  Go to https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Holm-Center/AFJROTC/Flight-Academy/ to learn more about the Flight Academy and visit http://www.aqtpractice.com/ when you're ready to see what the Aviation Qualification Test (AQT) is like!

Good luck, cadets!!

Lt Col Sevening and MSgt Brooks