by Dave Weiman
Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine October/November 2023 Digital Issue
A Grumman HU-16 Albatross entertained guests at the AOPA Foundation gathering at “The Waters” on Lake Winnebago, Oshkosh, Wis. Dave Weiman Photo
Something I looked forward to attending this year at EAA AirVenture-Oshkosh in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was the AOPA Foundation supporter appreciation “gathering,” held at “The Waters” on Lake Winnebago, July 25, 2023, and the “breakfast,” held at the AOPA Pavilion on the EAA grounds at Wittman Regional Airport, July 27, 2023. The gathering is an opportunity to mingle with fellow donors. The breakfast is an opportunity to meet some of the recipients of the AOPA Foundation’s Flight Training Scholarships, and participants in AOPA’s High School “Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics” (STEM) program, and hear their testimonies.
The gathering at The Waters on Lake Winnebago featured great food and beverages, and this year, a demonstration by a Grumman HU-16 Albatross amphibian aircraft, based at Anoka County-Blaine Airport in the Twin Cities, and fly-bys by a couple of jet fighters. Apparently, nothing was prearranged regarding the jets. They were part of the airshow back at the airport, and just happened to fly by The Waters, merely to turn around. Regardless, their performance was very cool.
AOPA President and CEO, Mark Baker, was at The Waters to personally thank guests for supporting the AOPA Foundation.
At the breakfast, AOPA members heard directly from some of the recipients of the scholarships and instructors in AOPA’s High School STEM program.
These young people really have their acts together… they are excited about their future careers in aviation, and most appreciative of their scholarships.
One young person wants to be a corporate pilot, another an aircraft technician, and another will be entering the Air Force Academy this fall.
The scholarship awards are broken down into four categories: AOPA High School Flight Training Scholarships, AOPA Teacher Flight Training Scholarships, AOPA Primary Flight Training Scholarships, and AOPA Advanced Rating Scholarships.
Recipients can use the money for direct flight training expenses to pursue a primary pilot certificate, such as a private, sport, or recreational pilot certificate. They must also complete a flight training milestone, achieving either solo flight or earning a primary pilot certificate, within one year of receiving the scholarship.
Some of the students who benefited from the AOPA Foundation High School STEM Curriculum were present at the AOPA Foundation appreciation breakfast held in the AOPA Pavilion, July 27, 2023. (L/R) David Anderson, Zane Hudspeth, and John David Muse of Ada High School, Ada, Oklahoma. Dave Weiman Photo
The AOPA High School Aviation STEM Curriculum is a FREE four-year aviation-based program available at public, private, charter, and parochial schools, as well as high school home school co-op programs. The curriculum is currently in use by over 400 schools in 43 states, with over 16,000 students presently enrolled. The curriculum introduces students to academically rigorous aviation and aerospace STEM concepts aligned to Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS); prepares students for industry certification tests, specifically the FAA private pilot knowledge test and Part 107 sUAS written examination; and leads students through Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways and capstone projects for career success. The STEM program at Ada High School in Ada, Oklahoma, was featured at the breakfast.
The AOPA Foundation is the philanthropic arm of AOPA. Member contributions fund programs that membership dues do not cover, including the “AOPA Air Safety Institute” (ASI) and “You Can Fly.”
You Can Fly is a collection of practical, rigorous, and engaging initiatives developed through real-world experience to support pilots at every stage of their aviation journey.
For more than 60 years, the AOPA Air Safety Institute has been producing free programs to help all pilots fly safer. From groundbreaking online courses and videos, to popular live seminars, ASI is the leader in aviation safety education.
None of these programs would be possible without member contributions!
The AOPA Foundation offers various contribution levels: “Friends of GA” can vary between $1.00 and $999. Contributions to the “Hat in the Ring Society” varies between $1,000 and $9,999. The “President’s Council” requires a gift of $10,000 or more!
Heading up the AOPA Foundation is Senior Vice President, Elizabeth Tennyson, who has been with AOPA since 1998. The AOPA Foundation’s Donor Relations Manager is Carli Stone. Carli can be reached at 301.695.2207 or via email at Carli.Stone@aopa.org.
(www.aopafoundation.org)
