New Agricultural Aviation Scholarship Takes Flight

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jay Calleja
Phone: (202) 546-5722
E-mail: jcalleja@agaviation.org

Press Release: NAAA/BASF Agricultural Aviation Scholarship Takes Flight

Up to $7,500 in training money available, deadline to apply Aug. 31

WASHINGTON, D.C. – MAY 21, 2010 – NAAA has finalized terms and conditions of the NAAA/BASF Agricultural Aviation Scholarship Program, and is now accepting nominations from Member Operators on behalf of interested applicants. The Association will award one scholarship valued at $5,000 each year and could award a second scholarship valued at $2,500 depending on the pool of applicants. The deadline to apply is Aug. 31, 2010. NAAA will recognize the winner, or winners, of the first Agricultural Aviation Scholarship in December at its 44th Annual Convention & Exposition in Savannah, Ga.

The goal of the Agricultural Aviation Scholarship is to strengthen the aerial application industry by helping NAAA Operators bring new pilots into the profession. Each applicant must be sponsored by an NAAA Operator, and scholarship recipients must use the proceeds for flight training or agricultural coursework at a university, college, community college or other institution of higher learning.

The Agricultural Aviation Scholarship is funded by an educational grant provided by BASF and administered by NAAA. Former NAAA President Doug Chanay announced that NAAA and BASF had agreed to establish a scholarship at the 2009 Convention. The general parameters were known at the time—scholarship recipients had to be sponsored by an NAAA Operator and use the proceeds for flight training or agricultural coursework—but NAAA’s Membership Committee still needed to determine the exact criteria.

After a great deal of discussion, the committee came up with two parts to the application, one for the candidate applying for the scholarship proceeds and another for the NAAA Operator/Sponsor to complete. Every applicant will be required to submit:

  • A letter of recommendation from the NAAA Operator sponsoring the applicant.
  • An essay of 250 words or less written by the applicant explaining why he or she is deserving of an NAAA/BASF Agricultural Aviation Scholarship.
  • A one-page résumé or list of activities detailing all agricultural and aviation experiences, education and training.

“The contribution from BASF means a great deal to the National Agricultural Aviation Association, but it is going to mean even more to the industry,” NAAA Executive Director Andrew Moore said. “This scholarship will help sustain the aerial application industry by bringing in new pilots while also enhancing education and professionalism.”

To learn more about the NAAA/BASF Agricultural Aviation Scholarship, review the application instructions or print the application, visit NAAA’s Web site at www.agaviation.org/agricultural-aviation-scholarship or www.agaviation.org/scholarshipform.pdf. Please call NAAA at (202) 546-5722 if you need clarification about any of the requirements.

 

NAAA represents 1,600 members in 46 states. NAAA member operator/pilots are licensed as commercial applicator-operators that use aircraft to enhance food, fiber and bio-fuel production, protect forestry and control health-threatening pests.

 

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