Ray Scholarships

EAA Chapter 166, in Hartford CT, has been highly successful in winning support from the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) Ray Aviation Scholarship to fund and mentor new young pilots. The Ray Aviation Scholarship program provides up to $11,000 scholarships to young people who are seeking to learn to fly. The Ray Foundation has provided $1.8 million to fund the scholarship program, which seeks to improve the flight training success rate from the current industry standards of 20 percent to 80 percent for program participants. Local EAA chapters are responsible for identifying youth for the Ray Aviation Scholarship program and mentoring them through flight training. The Ray Foundation is furthering the legacy of James C. Ray, an EAA lifetime member who was dedicated to aviation and youth education.

In 2019, the very first year of the Ray Scholarship Program, EAA Chapter 166, made a successful bid for a scholarship. Since, then the Chapter has supported 4 young pilots in reaching their goal of achieving an FAA pilot rating – with our 4th Ray Scholar already flying.