September 12, 2016: Fort Worth, TX: The 2017 FMA Solo Scholarship Program is open for nominations from band directors around the world the world. This scholarship is unique as it offers the recipient the opportunity to learn to fly. FMA is excited about the third year of their scholarship program because of the impact it has on the student, the community and aviation.
The selected student will be awarded a flight training scholarship, from Day One through Solo, with a participating flight instructor or school in his or her area. FMA members will be there to mentor that student pilot in both aspirations -- aviation and music. This built in network has led to great success in the first two years of the program.
Nominations are being accepted from Band Directors, now through January 31, 2017. Candidates must be juniors or seniors in high school, active in their school bands and have a passion for music and aviation. All nominees will receive a FREE one year FMA student membership which includes a FMA shirt.
FMA President/CEO John Zapp said, “FMA loves assisting others who share our passions of flying and music. To be able to assist and watch our student members grow through aviation and music is such a rewarding experience.” Zapp noted, "We are also looking for those in the aviation and music industry who want to jump on the FMA Bandwagon to be a part of this opportunity."
The first FMA Soloist, Drew Medina of Vero Beach, Florida, has accepted a full scholarship to the University of Florida to study aerospace engineering. “I’m super thankful for everybody at FMA. I think it’s cool that a group like that exists and is willing to help a guy like me achieve a dream I’ve held for so long.” The second FMA Solo Scholarship winner, Sarah Coffelt from Tullahoma, Tennessee, is set to solo this fall while also attending her senior year of high school as the Band Captain.
Our sponsors are doing their part. Thank them. Join them.
Rich Chiappe, general manager at Sky-Tec (the makers of the FLYWEIGHT Starter) has agreed to sponsor one scholarship in 2017 after a successful 2015 & 2016 program. Rich says, "Let's face it, without new pilot starts, the business of flying has no future. We should all be planting seeds -- constantly." FMA raised funds at HangarJams across the country and concerts like the Heaven’s Landing Airshow & Concert in northwest Georgia last June.
Sporty’s Pilot Shop has agreed to again give all the finalists a free Learn to Fly course while MYGOFLIGHT has agree to give the winners a customized Flight Bag PLC Pro along with their popular tablet mounting hardware and case. Look for a full page ad in the December issue of Aviators Hot Line and ads in Trade-A-Plane. Others are stepping up to get their products and services to the FMA Soloist.
Help FMA build more pilots.
To sponsor a student pilot or hold a HangarJam or Concert, either at your event/venue or as a standalone event, please contact FMA at [email protected].
About the Flying Musicians Association, Inc.:|
The Flying Musicians Association (FMA) is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation (EIN: 80-0433326) of pilots who are musicians, spanning the globe, proficiency levels, and genres. The goal is to share our passions in order to inspire, educate, and encourage through performances, presentations, and scholarships.
The 2017 FMA Solo Packet is available online.
More: www.FlyingMusicians.org
