The No. 1 barrier to learning to fly is the cost of flight training.
That has led to the creation of Aviation Start, a database that includes more than $20 million in aviation scholarships.
The new resource was launched by Jamail Larkins, who soloed at 14 in Canada, then became an ambassador for the FAA while he was a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University traveling to schools around the country to increase awareness of careers in aviation as part of the first DreamLaunch Tour in 2004.
The DreamLaunch tour is taking off again in 2025, with the first stop at the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo, where Larkins unveiled Aviation Start.
Getting information about funding sources for aviation education is important because the nation is facing a shortage of not just pilots, but mechanics, air traffic controllers, and other professionals in the aviation industry, according to Larkins.
He notes that almost half of the nation’s registered ATPs will reach the mandatory retirement age in the next decade.
“Some forecasts predict a pilot shortage approaching 30,000 people by 2032,” he says. “Factor in air traffic controller forced retirements, mechanics reaching retirement age, and the entire aviation community could experience a workforce crisis in the very near future.”
During his time as the FAA ambassador, he spoke at nearly 1,000 events around the nation and he kept hearing the same thing: The No. 1 obstacle to a career in aviation is cost.
Larkins knew there was help available in the form of grants and scholarships, but he also knew how hard it is to find out about those resources to help jumpstart a career in aviation, especially for those who have no connection to the aviation industry.
He became determined to create a clearinghouse for those interested in aviation to discover scholarships, as well as other resources, to help them achieve their dreams of flight.
“There are hundreds of scholarships from major aviation associations, local aviation groups across the country, and even air shows that give out annual scholarships,” he says. “You just have to know where to look.”
Aviation Start is that place.
It’s free to sign up and search the database, which includes scholarships for flight training, colleges, and courses, such as type ratings for pilots and maintenance courses for A&Ps, as well as financial awards for most aviation career paths — pilots, mechanics, controllers, aviation business, airport operations, and even cabin crew, according to Larkins.
Once you register at AviationStart.org, you’ll have full access to the database. Once a month you’ll receive information about updates to the database.
Not sure which career would be best for you in aviation?
AviationStart.org also includes information about resources, such as the Young Eagles program, the Civil Air Patrol, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, and the FAA Aviation Career Education efforts.
“And it’s all free,” Larkins emphasizes.
The site also has information about the DreamLaunch tour, which will travel to 20 cities in 2025, including Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Atlanta, Denver, and Phoenix.
For more information: AviationStart.org
