2025 season: January 1st, 2025 to March 1st, 2025
Donate and Sponsor
Gain recognition for your business or honor a loved one while supporting the next generation of Aviation Professionals
Now is your opportunity to give back to the Aviation Community you love!
Endowment Sized Gifts over 10,000 are deposited in our Scholarship Investment Fund to grow and Sustain our program for Years to Come!
Contact the executive@alaskaairmen.org to discuss
over 180 applications Received
over the State of Alaska
The Airmen's Goal
Map of Applicants
In the next 10 years, there is a need for 255,000 pilots, 193,000 mechanics, and 1 million support positions in the Aviation Industry to be filled in the US.
The Alaska Airmen Association is working hard to meet that need in our great state through the Aviation Scholarship Program and NextGen Aviation Club.
All donations are fully tax deductible and every dollar donated reaches the students. In 2023, we received over 180 applications from all over the state.
A special Thank You to the BILL STROECKER FOUNDATION, Who provided
FIVE $10,000 Scholarships
For Maintenance Professionals!
Kyler Forth, NextGen Board Member/Scholarship Recipient
To the Alaska Airmen’s Association,
This scholarship has been a massive help as I now have a Tailwheel Endorsement and have learned an invaluable tool of a different way in thinking how to handle and fly a plane (a mindset and though process that I will carry and use in every flight on any plane I fly - small and large - for as long as I fly). This scholarship has been a massive help to me and has set me up for life in my many flight hours to come!
Thank you to those who donate and support the next generation of aviators in the Alaskan skies who are the best examples of why “GA in AK” is truly important and why it matters!
Greatly Appreciated,
Kyler Forth
CO-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS
As part of our commitment to considerably strengthen our scholarship program through additional funding, the Airmen's Association has been partnering with other community and industry actors to co-fund even more scholarships for Alaska's aviation students.
You may honor the name of an individual or have your business or organization recognized for as little as $1250 while supporting the aspirations of young aviation enthusiasts.
The Alaska Airmen's Association will match your donation up to $10,000 in $2,500 increments towards all scholarships categories and conditions that you select.
For more information, please email executive.director@alaskaairmen.org
WOULD YOU CARE TO INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE LABOR FORCE?
For several years, the Alaska Airmen’s Association has provided scholarships for individuals interested in pursuing careers in aviation. These scholarships are funded through various sources, including the Airmen’s Aircraft Raffle, the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering, and contributions from individuals. Typically, they amount to $2,500, but this can vary based on the donor's preferences. As the saying goes, "The Lord helps those who help themselves," and while we don't claim divine status, we strongly believe in this philosophy. We estimate a success rate of around 90%, with most applicants achieving their desired rating or certification within their chosen scholarship category.
I've always been a strong advocate for education, a trait that seems to run in my family. My grandfather authored several books on career counseling long before the term gained widespread recognition. Now, in my retirement after a fulfilling aviation career, I reflect on the invaluable mentors who guided me in my early days. Unfortunately, most of them are no longer with us, and I can't repay their kindness.
My parents, Don and Carol Bedford, were hardworking and frugal individuals who left me a substantial inheritance. I would feel guilty spending it frivolously. What better way to honor their memory, as well as that of those who supported me, than by assisting a deserving young person in embarking on an aviation journey?
In the past, the application deadline was in the middle of winter, with recipients notified shortly thereafter, and the awards ceremony held annually at the Gathering. This year, recognizing that many in Alaska pursue A&P mechanics certification through the University of Alaska's fall program, we've introduced an additional round of scholarships focused on the A&P career path. The application period was held over the summer, with scholarships to be awarded in the fall. The Alaska Airmen’s Board of Directors has allocated $10,000 to fund four $2,500 scholarships. We are considering increasing our contribution and invite your business to consider a deductible donation of $1,250, which the Airmen's Association would match, effectively doubling the number of scholarships available. As a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations are tax-deductible, and 100% of the funds benefit students. You can receive recognition at half the usual cost and possibly discover a valuable employee in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Dennis Bedford Former Board Member and Supporter of the Scholarship Program
2024 SCHOLARSHIP DONORS
These generous donors have kicked off our 2024 scholarship fundraising this year. We are grateful for their contribution to Alaska aviation and can't wait to share more as the fundraising continues!
We would like to offer a special thank you to the Bill Stroecker Foundation, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Float & Skis, and Alaska Air Transit whose
generous donation allowed us to fund scholarship awards for 2024.
Sisters of the Sky
The "Sisters of the Sky" scholarship was founded in 2024 by a diverse group of women active in and passionate about Alaska's aviation industry. We serve as GA pilots, Airplane Owners, Airline Captains, Flight followers, Flight instructors, Aviation Operation Managers, Aircraft mechanics, Drone operators, Dispatchers, etc.; these two scholarships are our attempt to come together as sisters and help the next generation of female pilots succeed. The two scholarships each consist of a $2.5k monetary flight training contribution and a free ground school package provided by our partner, Pilotinstitute.com. It also includes access to female mentors active in various aviation industry sectors via our group.
Now is your opportunity to give back to the Aviation Community you love!
Donate and Sponsor
Now is your opportunity to give back to the Aviation Community you love!
Endowment Sized Gifts over 10,000 are deposited in our Scholarship Investment Fund to grow and Sustain our program for Years to Come!
Contact the executive@alaskaairmen.org to discuss
The Airmen's Goal
In the next 10 years, there is a need for 255,000 pilots, 193,000 mechanics, and 1 million support positions in the Aviation Industry to be filled in the US.
The Alaska Airmen Association is working hard to meet that need in our great state through the Aviation Scholarship Program and NextGen Aviation Club.
All donations are fully tax deductible and every dollar donated reaches the students. In 2023, we received over 180 applications from all over the state.
over 180 applications Received over the State of Alaska
CO-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS
As part of our commitment to considerably strengthen our scholarship program through additional funding, the Airmen's Association has been partnering with other community and industry actors to co-fund even more scholarships for Alaska's aviation students.
You may honor the name of an individual or have your business or organization recognized for as little as $1250 while supporting the aspirations of young aviation enthusiasts.
The Alaska Airmen's Association will match your donation up to $10,000 in $2,500 increments towards all scholarships categories and conditions that you select.
For more information, please email executive.director@alaskaairmen.org
WOULD YOU CARE TO INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE LABOR FORCE?
For several years, the Alaska Airmen’s Association has provided scholarships for individuals interested in pursuing careers in aviation. These scholarships are funded through various sources, including the Airmen’s Aircraft Raffle, the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering, and contributions from individuals. Typically, they amount to $2,500, but this can vary based on the donor's preferences. As the saying goes, "The Lord helps those who help themselves," and while we don't claim divine status, we strongly believe in this philosophy. We estimate a success rate of around 90%, with most applicants achieving their desired rating or certification within their chosen scholarship category.
I've always been a strong advocate for education, a trait that seems to run in my family. My grandfather authored several books on career counseling long before the term gained widespread recognition. Now, in my retirement after a fulfilling aviation career, I reflect on the invaluable mentors who guided me in my early days. Unfortunately, most of them are no longer with us, and I can't repay their kindness.
My parents, Don and Carol Bedford, were hardworking and frugal individuals who left me a substantial inheritance. I would feel guilty spending it frivolously. What better way to honor their memory, as well as that of those who supported me, than by assisting a deserving young person in embarking on an aviation journey?
In the past, the application deadline was in the middle of winter, with recipients notified shortly thereafter, and the awards ceremony held annually at the Gathering. This year, recognizing that many in Alaska pursue A&P mechanics certification through the University of Alaska's fall program, we've introduced an additional round of scholarships focused on the A&P career path. The application period was held over the summer, with scholarships to be awarded in the fall. The Alaska Airmen’s Board of Directors has allocated $10,000 to fund four $2,500 scholarships. We are considering increasing our contribution and invite your business to consider a deductible donation of $1,250, which the Airmen's Association would match, effectively doubling the number of scholarships available. As a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations are tax-deductible, and 100% of the funds benefit students. You can receive recognition at half the usual cost and possibly discover a valuable employee in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Dennis Bedford Former Board Member and Supporter of the Scholarship Program
A special Thank You to the BILL STROECKER FOUNDATION, Who provided
FIVE $10,000 Scholarships
For Maintenance Professionals!
2024 SCHOLARSHIP DONORS
These generous donors have kicked off our 2024 scholarship fundraising this year. We are grateful for their contribution to Alaska aviation and can't wait to share more as the fundraising continues!
We would like to offer a special thank you to the Bill Stroecker Foundation, Alaska Float & Skis, and Alaska Air Transit whose
generous donation allowed us to fund scholarship awards for 2024.