The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation has revealed the eight aviation charities chosen through online voting to receive grants of $2,000 to $10,000.
The top three Pilots Choice Award recipients in descending number of votes received for 2014 are:
- Pilots N Paws — Awarded a cash grant of $10,000 and Number 1 vote recipient, Pilots N Paws brings pilots and plane owners together to share the gift of flight to assist with the transportation of rescue, shelter or foster animals. The Pilots Choice grant will be used to host flyway events and fund booth space at various pilot functions to increase awareness of Pilots N Paws.
- New Tribes Mission — Awarded a cash grant of $8,000, New Tribes Mission is pilots and technicians providing direct, efficient and safe missionary aviation support in remote areas around the world. The Pilots Choice grant will be applied toward their need for a fuel efficient airplane in Papua New Guinea.
- The Ninety-Nines — Awarded a cash grant of $6,000, The Ninety-Nines advances women in aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support; while sharing an international passion for flight. The Pilots Choice grant will be used to continue and expand outreach activities and develop new programs.
Five recipients qualified to receive cash grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. In descending number of votes:
#4 — Academy of Model Aeronautics, the world’s largest model aviation association, representing more than 150,000 members from every walk of life. The Pilots Choice grant will be used to hold a day camp to help build a pilot program to share with model aeronautics clubs nationwide.
#5 — Civil Air Patrol. The Pilots Choice grant will help fund and expand youth participation in the K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) program.
#6 — Mission Aviation Fellowship, which uses aviation, technology and faith to meet the physical and spiritual needs of isolated people around the world. The Pilots Choice grant will enable MAF to operate ongoing programs, launch new initiatives and expand services.
#7 — Angel Flight West, which arranges free, non-emergency air travel for children and adults with serious medical conditions and other needs. The Pilots Choice grant will support an accelerated marketing campaign to reach a greater number of potential pilots and passengers.
#8 — Patient AirLift Services, which arranges free air transportation through a volunteer pilot network for medical, compassionate and humanitarian flights to those in need. The Pilots Choice grant will go toward various operations and programs.
Seven honorees each received a crystal commemorating their recognition as a Lightspeed Aviation Foundation finalist and will receive a new Lightspeed Zulu headset. They are in alphabetical order:
- Agape Flights
- Missionary Flights International
- SUN ‘n FUN
- The Flying Doctors
- Think Global Flight
- Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum
- Whirly-Girls International
“Awarding these aviation charities provides the opportunity to advance their individual cause and together expand awareness and appreciation for aviation,” says Allan Schrader, president of Lightspeed Aviation. “Since its inception, the Pilots Choice voting and awards have introduced us all to dozens of worthy charities and amazing people that are making a significant impact around the world.”
Nominations and grant applications for the 2015 Pilots Choice Awards are available at LightspeedAviationFoundation.org. Aviation nonprofits committed to growing the pilot community and using their gifts for compassion and service to others are eligible to apply.