Feb. 21, 2019
At Clay Lacy Aviation, “No Plane No Gain” is more than a slogan – it’s a call to action, to demonstrate the importance of business aviation to the nation’s economy and the success of small, medium and large businesses across the United States.
Developing and nurturing tomorrow’s pilots, mechanics, cabin attendants, dispatchers and other aviation professionals is critical to business aviation. To help attract and retain these new workers, Clay Lacy Aviation provides scholarships to promising students pursuing aviation degrees, licenses or certifications.
“The No Plane No Gain program highlights the importance of business aviation in supporting jobs, and attracting and keeping those qualified professionals is everyone’s mission, including for us at Clay Lacy Aviation,” said Clay Lacy CEO Brian Kirkdoffer.
“The costs to become a pilot or mechanic are high and many students need help with tuition, books, fees, flight training and other expenses,” Kirkdoffer continued. “We partner with educational institutions to help the best and the brightest of these students achieve their dreams of an aviation career.”
The company offers many scholarships, including:
- A professional pilot scholarship through the University of North Dakota Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences. The scholarship helps up to four students with financial needs earn a college degree as a professional pilot and commercial, instrument, multi-engine and fixed-wing flight instructor ratings.
- The Clay Lacy Mechanic Scholarship is for students at the Los Angeles Unified School District’s North Valley Occupational Center Aviation Mechanics School. The FAA-approved curriculum prepares students for their General Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics licensing examination.
- At Orange Coast College, Clay Lacy scholarship funds help students earn their private, instrument and commercial pilot licenses as they work toward a degree. The curriculum prepares them to become professional pilots, earn a certified instructor rating or pursue a wide variety of aviation careers.
- Clay Lacy also offers an aviation scholarship administered by the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center in Los Angeles. The most qualified applicant receives $5,000 to cover expenses such as tuition, books, fees, pilot ground and flight training.
In addition to scholarships, for the past decade, Clay Lacy Aviation has partnered with the Van Nuys Airport and local city council members to host over 1,400 students from San Fernando Valley-area high schools for an Aviation Career Day at Van Nuys Airport. The event introduces local students to career opportunities in aviation, and industry-related activities and organizations they can engage with while in school.