Many enterprising aviators ran lemonade and Kool-Aid stands in their youth to raise money for flight training. Café Avion, an organic coffee roasting company based in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, is taking that idea to a new level by making a donation to the Ninety-Nines scholarship fund for every pound of its Aviatrix blend purchased.
“I grew up loving aviation. I started flying when I was young and now I fly an old Mooney,” explains Denver Wilkinson, founder. “When I started this company a year and a half ago I thought about a way to combine aviation and coffee.”
The company’s name came from a friend who flew as a missionary in New Guinea and told thrilling stories of picking up raw coffee from back country air strips.
Wilkinson was inspired to contribute to the Ninety-Nines scholarship fund by a woman pilot he knows.
“She’s in the process of getting all her ratings,” he explained. “And she really likes the Aviatrix blend.”
Until July 24, 2006, the company will donate $1 to the scholarship fund for each pound of Aviatrix blend sold. The date is significant as it is the birthday of Amelia Earhart, a founding member and first president of the Ninety-Nines.
Each year the Ninety-Nines award scholarships for education and flight training.
In addition to coffee, Cafe Avion sells coffee accessories such as mugs, thermoses, grinders and presses. The company is strictly online.