Sun ‘n Fun Host Reminds Students of Multiple ACE-Sponsored Flight Training Scholarships 

The ACE celebrated the 150th private pilot educated under their James C. Ray Scholarship Program, Hayden Gomez, who completed his check ride in early August on his way to an airline career. 

The ACE program allowed the Central Florida Aerospace Academy graduate to complete his training for the first of whe he hopes will be a series of ratings prior to attending Jacksonville University. Once there, he plans to pursue a degree in Aviation Management and Flight Operations, building experience for the day he goes on to achieve a common goal for most private pilots: finally being paid to fly. Hayden completed his flight training at Legends Aviation Academy, a stone's throw the ACE stomping grounds at Lakeland Linder International Airport.

Upon celebrating lucky pilot number 150, the long-term ACE volunteer offered a bit of advice for students in a similar position, saying “Make sure you study anything and everything you can, know all of your ground training before you start doing the practical portion of flying in the air. In order to succeed you need to figure out what you are planning on the ground first before applying it into the air.” When asked how he was able to finagle the James C. Ray Scholarship, Gomez said that volunteering and making his presence known was the key to success. “For some – start getting involved with an airport, get yourself out there, expose yourself to that element of flying.” 

Gomez leveraged his experience volunteering at the yearly Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo for years, giving him crucial bonafides to prove that aviation is more than just a line of work for him. His winning essay for the Stratos contest allowed him to save a considerable sum on his rating especially for an 18 year old. Interested students have plenty more opportunities through the Aerospace Center for Excellence. Every year, more than $300,000 in scholarships are awarded for students pursuing private pilots certificates, advanced ratings, industry qualifications, and college degrees. The Center awards a handful of scholarships each month, with about 40 students working through their flight training at any given time. Interested students can apply through their site for a suitable match for their needs. The James C. Ray scholarship, for example, is predicated on a mix of factors including grades, community service, extracurricular history, and recommendations from the Polk County area. 

FMI: www.aceedu.org, www.flysnf.org