EAA Chapter 179 qualified for participation in EAA’s Ray Aviation Scholarship program for the past five years (2019–2023), enabling us to support flight students through their Private Pilot check ride.  We were awarded our 7th Ray Scholarship in 2023.  Candidates must be a student pilot age 15-19 who aspires to earn a Private Pilot certificate within the coming year.

Ray Scholars now may receive up to $11,000 to be used for flight training expenses, whether pursuing flying as a career or hobby. In addition, recipients receive mentoring, support, and progress monitoring to ensure successful completion of flight training within the required 12 months. Recipients are expected to participate in Chapter activities, provide regular reports on progress, and achieve stringent flight training milestones.

The Chapter identifies candidates for the Ray Scholarship from among youth who are energetically engaged in aviation activities such as enrolled in or completed aviation education courses, who participate in local aviation related organizations, who are enthusiastic to become a pilot and who can make it a priority. Ray Scholarship recipients are typically selected from Chapter 179 Scholarship applicants or may be nominated by Chapter members.

For additional information on the national EAA Ray Aviation Scholar program, download the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiwr721sOX5AhXJJkQIHX00DwYQFnoECAgQAQ&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eaa.org%2F-%2Fmedia%2FFiles%2FEAA%2FChapters%2FRay-Aviation-Scholars%2FRayScholarships_2019_ChapterHandbookNew.ashx%3Fla%3Den&amp;usg=AOvVaw3v2p96ROuaFSFOZQpsPTQK">Ray Aviation Scholarship Scholar’s Handbook</a> (PDF file).
<h3>2022 EAA 179 Ray Scholarship Recipients - New Pilots!</h3>
For 2022, the Chapter selected two aspiring pilots to receive EAA 179 Ray Scholarships. Read their accomplishments <a href="https://eaa179.org/scholarships-history/#RayScholars">here</a>.
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<td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><a href="https://eaa179.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Mia-Alderete-1.jpg"><img class="wp-image-6431 alignright" src="https://eaa179.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Mia-Alderete-1.jpg" alt="" width="106" height="128" /></a>Mia
Alderete</span></td>
<td style="width: 50%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">V<a href="https://eaa179.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Veronica-Bearup.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-5986" src="https://eaa179.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Veronica-Bearup.jpg" alt="" width="134" height="129" /></a>eronica
Bearup</span></td>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Questions? Email us: <a href="mailto:chapter@eaa179.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chapter@eaa179.org</a></span></h2>
<a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&amp;hosted_button_id=9Y4X5MZJS8A9Y"><img class="jetpack-lazy-image jetpack-lazy-image--handled alignleft" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/webstatic/en_US/btn/btn_donate_cc_147x47.png" alt="Donate Button with Credit Cards" width="152" height="49" data-lazy-loaded="1" /></a><strong>Like what you see?  DONATE TODAY!</strong> We appreciate donations of any amount to our main scholarship fund, <em>the Bob Hartman Memorial Scholarship, or Jay Schmitt Memorial Scholarship</em> funds<em>. </em>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".