The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association launched its 2024 You Can Fly Challenge June 1, 2024, a six-month fundraising effort to benefit the AOPA Foundation and its programs to get more people into aviation and to keep them flying safely.
According to AOPA officials, donations made during the challenge will be matched by the Ray Foundation, a philanthropic foundation dedicated to aviation.
Last year, more than 2,900 donors donated more than $3.5 million to the AOPA Foundation, unlocking the Ray Foundation’s match. The late James C. Ray was a World War II veteran and a member of the AOPA Foundation President’s Council who “believed that life skills are learned through aviation.”
“You Can Fly is all about creating opportunities and the You Can Fly Challenge gives generous donors a unique opportunity to double the impact of their gifts,” said Elizabeth Tennyson, AOPA chief operating officer. “We are grateful to the Ray Foundation and the thousands of donors who participate in the challenge. Their support makes these initiatives possible.”
Initiatives include:
High School Curriculum
The You Can Fly High School Aviation STEM Curriculum, provided free of charge to schools nationwide, provides aviation-based courses that allow students to discover career opportunities in aviation and aerospace. The program, which provides lessons in all four grades of high school, is currently being taught to more than 23,000 students in 46 states and the District of Columbia. To date, the initiative has engaged more than 71,000 students, with 60% of graduates actively pursuing an aviation career, according to AOPA officials.
Flight Training
The You Can Fly Flight Training initiative includes the AOPA Flight Training Advantage (AFTA) app, a web- and iPad-based training program designed to help make the process of flight training more effective for all involved, according to AOPA officials.
“AFTA is one way the team is working with flight schools, flight instructors, and students nationwide to create better flight training experiences,” officials said. “To date, more than 15,000 total hours have been logged through AFTA.”
Flying Clubs
The AOPA Flying Clubs initiative has helped form nearly 250 new flying clubs serving thousands of pilots.
By offering workshops, online resources, webinars, and ongoing counsel, the Flying Clubs initiative is helping to grow clubs nationwide, AOPA officials reported.
Rusty Pilots
The Rusty Pilots initiative helps lapsed pilots return to active flying. With in-person seminars, webinars, and online courses, pilots can refresh their knowledge and connect with flight schools and instructors so they can complete a flight review.
More than 13,500 formerly rusty pilots are back in the air after attending a Rusty Pilots course, AOPA officials said.
Donations
Tax-deductible donations can be made by Dec. 31, 2024, to count toward the match.
For more information: 800-872-2672 or Foundation.AOPA.org