RTAG Flight Training Scholarships

RTAG Flight Training Scholarships

Our goal is to be able to give $500,000 in various flight training scholarships annually! Individual scholarship amounts will be announced at a later date. Scholarship winners will be announced at the 2026 RTAG Convention Awards Ceremony! (Need not be present to win, but we'd love to see you there!)

Learn more about Chris Bedzis.

RTAG Flight Training Scholarships will be awarded individually based on overall strength/merit and completeness of the application. The intent of these scholarships are to assist in funding fixed wing flight training and expenses directly related to that training for the purpose of a United States Military veteran or current Servicemember transitioning to a career as a commercial pilot. Training will be completed with an agreed upon provider.

Eligibility

  1. Must be currently serving or an honorably discharged Veteran of the United States armed forces
  2. Must obtain an aviation medical certificate (1st class required)
  3. Have access to a training facility, equipment, and an instructor
  4. Have transportation and availability to allow flight lessons weekly (schedule to be determined based upon the student, equipment, and instructor availability)

Selection Criteria

  1. Applicant must submit a complete application with all supporting documents.
  2. The award determination will be made on the selection committee’s evaluation of the overall quality of the application and the scholarship essay responses.

Awards

  • All submissions will have personally identifiable information removed prior to review by the selection panel to determine the winner. The selection panel will be comprised of the RTAG Board of Directors (Joshua Lee, Tim Kirschbaum, and Jim McClung).
  • All scholarships are awarded on an individual basis as funding is available and dispersed at the discretion of the selection committee.
  • Funds will be paid directly to the approved flight training facility from which the applicant intends to become certified
  • Scholarship selection shall be made without regard to race, national origin, sex, or disability**

Cloud Dancer Scholarship

We're proud to support the Ashton Johnson Memorial Cloud Dancer Scholarship.

*Prior criminal history will be reviewed during the process of obtaining a medical certificate

**Disabilities preventing applicants from obtaining an aviation medical certificate will be solely determined by an Aviation Medical Examiner.