map of Applicants
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.
A special Thank You to the BILL STROECKER FOUNDATION, Who provided
FIVE $10,000 Scholarships!
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.
If you would like to honor the name of an individual or have your business recognized while supporting the aspirations of young aviation enthusiasts, the Alaska Airmen's Association will match your donation up to $1,250 .
For more information, please email executive.director@alaskaairmen.org
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
Past Scholarship Recipients
MEET THE RECIPIENTS
Every year a wide range of recipients are selected to help their journey in Aviation. Here are a few words from some of the winners!
Aviation Discovery Scholarship Recipient
Alexis Cramer
"I am hoping to become a third generation pilot and look forward to continuing that path for myself, my sister, and all the women who think it is an undefeatable task. My passion for flying hasn't stopped since taking my first flight, and it continues to grow. My devotion to my aviation career only strengthens with each class I am given and the more I understand. This career path is an in-depth and costly journey, but I am confident my drive and dedication will lead me to a successful outcome."
Professional Pilot Scholarship Recipient
April Erhardt
"I am so grateful to be the recipient of the Don and Carol Bedford Memorial Scholarship. I will use this scholarship to fund my multi-engine instructor rating. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for the past four years, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to become proficient again and to see how I can use the gifts I’ve been given to serve my community. I hope to use this rating to continue to gain proficiency as a pilot and to give back to the aviation industry by providing mentorship and multiengine instruction at the local flight school I work for."
Professional Pilot Scholarship Recipient
Ashley FitzSimmons
Ashley’s passion for flying was inspired at an early age while growing up in Alaska with her dad, an air traffic controller. She took her first flight from the right seat of the cockpit at twelve and was instantly hooked! Her enthusiasm continued to grow as she traveled Alaska while working as a field technician for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Ashley began her journey towards a career in aviation when she returned to school to earn her A&P Certificates at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She now works as an A&P and has continued her path in aviation by obtaining her private pilot certificate and instrument rating. She plans to acquire her commercial rating in the next year.
Private Pilot Scholarship Recipient
Claire Dal Nogare
Claire is an aspiring Army pilot waiting on Uncle Sam to get her paperwork all sorted out. She has been working hard on hours and ratings in order to make her aviation resume as ship shape as possible for the military. Claire has found many seasonal jobs that have taken her all throughout Alaska like commercial fishing and Park Rangering. While these days she leaves Alaska for a month or two of work in Antarctica each winter, she always makes it back just like the Arctic tern. Her goal is to see more and more women joining the aviation world.
Professional Pilot Scholarship Recipient
Lucy Hankins
"I am a third generation commercial fisherman, a glacier guide in Kenai Fjords National Park, and an upcoming pilot from Seward, Alaska. I fell in love with the idea of flight during long days on the back deck of my family's fishing vessel while fishing for black cod off the Gulf of Alaska. Now I am working towards that dream by attending Utah State University as part of their Aviation Technology degree program. This upcoming school year, I will be working towards my Commercial License. My dream is to eventually become a fixed-wing medevac pilot in Alaska."
Private Pilot Scholarship Recipient
Elijah Corwin
"I have been intrigued by the aviation industry ever since I took a discovery flight at Angel Aviation when I was 14 years old. Ever since then, it has always just looked like it would be a great career path for me, especially here in Alaska. During the Introduction to Aviation course, I had discovered A&P Mechanics and what all the career entails, benefits, and just the whole description. This scholarship will really help me pay for my training and means a lot to me. I am extremely excited to begin my career path in the aviation industry and learn everything that there is to know. I would just like to express my utmost gratitude and say thank you once again to the Alaska Airmen's Association for the generous scholarship, it will go a long way."
Aerospace Engineering Scholarship Recipient
Ezra West
"For as long as I can remember, I’ve been interested in airplanes. Growing up, I really enjoyed traveling on planes with my family. As I grew older, I became increasingly interested in building and flying remote controlled aircraft. Just a few years ago, I had the opportunity to pursue flight training, and earned my pilot’s license in fall of 2022. I’ve been flying on and off ever since. As a current college student, I’m hoping to pursue a career in aeronautical engineering. Designing planes would be an ideal career for me: one that combines airplanes with my mechanical mindset."
Private Pilot Scholarship Recipient
Hannah Kinder
"Aviation excites me! I seize every opportunity to learn more about it. Currently I'm a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter Maintainer for the Alaska Army National Guard. I love my job, watching the powerful birds take to the skies always puts a smile on my face. I applied for the scholarship to complete my Private Pilot License at Blue River Aviation. I've enjoyed my pilot training so far. I hope to, one day, share with others the joy Alaska brings from the sky. "
Professional Pilot Scholarship Recipient
Leo Hicker
"During highschool I earned my PPL with the financial help of an AAA scholarship, and built a Zenith STOL 701 with my dad. After completing that I went to the UAF CTC A&P program and earned my A&P certificate which I now use to work for a small air taxi. I am studying Mechanical Engineering at UAF and hope to get involved with aircraft R&D. I am working on building hours in my homebuilt and will start on my instrument and commercial ratings very soon to hopefully fly for the company I work for."
Private Pilot Scholarship Recipient
Nelliann Smith
"Hi, my name is Nelliann, I am from Tuntutuliak, AK located southwest 30 miles from Bethel Alaska. I received my Private Pilot license recently and now continuing to pursue my Instrument rating all the way to Commercial rating. Being from a small village and also a Native Yupik pilot is something unspeakably inspirational for me. Knowing that I am making a difference for the younger generation is incredible and I hope they follow their dreams just as I am. I would like to thank the Alaska Airmen’s Association for allowing me to finish my Private Pilot license through the scholarship! I am truly thankful and hope your organization grows over the years!"
Professional Pilot Scholarship Recipient
willem meehan
Willem grew up in Alaska and was always fascinated with airplanes and exploring Alaska by air. He Took his first flight lesson when he was 8 years old and had to sit in a booster seat to see over the panel. Willems grandfather competed in aerobatic competitions until his passing when he was 84 years old and helped jumpstart his love of aviation. Willem graduated from UAA in spring 2023 with a bachelors in Aviation Technology and is finishing up his CFI with the generous help of the Alaska Airmen's Association. In his free time, he enjoys backpacking, mountain biking, and spending as much time outdoors as possible making the most of the long summer days. Willem looks forward to teaching students and passing along his passion for aviation to new students in the future.
Scholarship Recipient
David Howard
"During my time working for Alaska Airlines, I have been a ramp agent but have had several different duties including station ramp trainer and operations agent. I've been fortunate to work closely with our current Maintenance Technicians who have guided me towards making a slight career change to aviation maintenance. I'll be pursuing my Airframe and Powerplant Certificate at the University of Alaska Fairbanks starting August 2023. I look forward to helping keep our community's air travel running safely for the duration of my career. When I'm not working or studying maintenance manuals these days, I love to spend time with my family. My wife and I, along with our 2 kids, love to travel and explore new places in search of craft beer, desserts, and fun parks."
map of Applicants
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.
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.
If you would like to honor the name of an individual or have your business recognized while supporting the aspirations of young aviation enthusiasts, the Alaska Airmen's Association will match your donation up to $1,250 .
For more information, please email executive.director@alaskaairmen.org
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