Program Offers Ground Schooling, Flight Training, and Additional Grants

Cascade Warbirds, the largest chapter of EAA Warbirds of America, has opened applications for its 2025 Memorial Youth Scholarship Program. It includes private pilot ground school with introductory lessons and an additional grant for one recipient.

Cascade Warbirds was founded on August 27, 1993. It hosts airshows, conducts veteran outreach, and supports an annual scholarship contest.

“It is the goal of Cascade Warbirds to promote the restoration, preservation, operation and public display of historically significant military aircraft; to acquire and perpetuate the living history of those who served their country on these aircraft; and to inspire today’s young people to become the aviation pioneers of tomorrow,” the chapter stated.

The scholarship program is open to aspiring pilots aged 16-21 from the greater Seattle and central Puget Sound regions. Cascade Warbirds, with help from local flight schools, provides recipients with tuition, books, two introductory flight lessons, and extra supplies. Several winners are chosen each year for the scholarship, which is valued at around $1,350.

The ground schooling award can either be fulfilled in person at the partnering flight school or virtually. During this period, the student’s instructor will set a time for the first introductory lesson. Once the ground portion is completed, the student will be qualified to take the FAA’s private pilot knowledge exam and move into the scholarship’s second flight.

On top of the ground school and flight awards, the Memorial Youth Scholarship Program includes one Continuing Aviation Education Grant. The $2,500 scholarship will go to one recipient who intends to earn their private pilot lesson within the next two years. Before being chosen, applicants must complete the scholarship’s ground lessons and two flights, plus submit an essay. They will receive $1,000 after their first solo, $1,000 after their long solo cross-country, and the remaining $500 after completing the certificate.

“Becoming a pilot builds upon and expands core STEM skills of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” Cascade Warbirds expressed. “It pushes flight students to grow emotionally and build self-confidence. Minor or adult, learning to fly changes a person and opens them to a world of possibilities.”

FMI: www.cascadewarbirds.org