FAA awards $5 million in grants for the next generation of pilots

The FAA has awarded $5 million in grants to educate the next generation of pilots and other aviation professionals.

The Aircraft Pilots Aviation Workforce Development Grants were awarded to a variety of higher-education institutions, high schools, state and local governments and flight schools.

“Our investment in the aviation workforce of the future must begin today,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, a former airline captain. “These grants help nurture interest in aviation at an early age to build a career during one of the most dynamic times in aviation history.”

The grants can be used to create curriculum designed to prepare students to become aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, or unmanned aircraft systems operators.

Grant recipients include:

• Florida State College, Jacksonville, Florida: $498,000
• Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, Michigan: $90,000
• Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, N.C.: $269,000
• University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, N.D.: $488,000
• County of Scottsbluff School District #16, Gering, Nebraska: $500,000
• Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, Flushing, N.Y.: $498,000
• Aerotrek Flight Academy, Wadsworth, Ohio: $77,000
• Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: $491,000
• Harrisburg University of Science & Technology, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: $135,000
• Spartanburg County School District #5 (James. F. Byrnes High School), Duncan, S.C.: $31,000
• South Carolina Department of Education, Columbia, S.C.: $425,000
• Florence School District One, Florence, S.C.: $339,000
• Crowley Independent School District #912, Crowley, Texas: $139,500
• Utah State University, Logan, Utah: $238,500
• Randolph Macon Academy, Front Royal, Virginia: $307,000
• Old Dominion University Research Foundation/Virginia Space Grant Consortium, Norfolk, Virginia: $474,000

Click here for additional details about the grant recipients.