NGPA Has Awarded $117,000 In Scholorships This Year

The National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) Education Fund awarded $15,000 in scholarships this month, bringing the total amount awarded to $117,000 since the Education Fund's inception. The scholarships are available to students pursuing an aviation career as a professional pilot and are merit-based upon criteria established by the NGPA Education Fund. Factors considered in the award of scholarships include: demonstrated academic ability, financial need and active participation in matters of social justice and betterment of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. 

Four scholarships, in the amount of $3,750 each, were awarded this year to:

• Spencer Conklin, University of North Dakota
• Eric Florence, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• LeAnne Gomez, Phoenix Helicopter Services
• Cory Sanderson, SkyWalk Inc.

"Particularly during these tough economic times, students face an uphill battle pursuing their dream to fly for a living. Academic tuition plus the cost of pursuing advanced pilot ratings makes the goal of becoming a professional pilot financially challenging. The NGPA Education Fund is pleased to off-set the flight training and education expenses incurred by these high-caliber students," said Steve Walker, executive director of the NGPA Education Fund.

Retired Continental Airlines Captain and NGPA Education Fund board chairman, Tom Little, added, "The NGPA Education Fund remains committed to fostering pilot careers, and we have demonstrated this by awarding $117,000 in scholarships since 1998."

FMI: www.gaypilot.org