Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA) scholarships, aimed at supporting aspiring pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs), and airline managers in their career pursuits.
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“Awarding the four scholarships is one of the most important things the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association does,” said RACCA President James Goddard. “Each year we are impressed with the quality of the applications and what these young people will contribute to the industry once they complete their education. Our members support our scholarships with generous donations because they believe in paying it forward and encouraging the pursuit of cargo careers.”
The RACCA Aviation Scholarships, valued at $2,500 each, were established to promote aviation as a career choice and raise awareness of opportunities within the air cargo industry. Representing 50 air cargo carriers, many of which support FedEx, DHL, and UPS networks, RACCA provides these scholarships to assist with tuition, flight training, or obtaining new or additional licenses. Four awards are made annually in November.
Goddard highlighted that flying for a RACCA carrier is an excellent way for pilots to build flight hours, offering experience with scheduled flights, inclement weather, inflight and procedural issues, night flying, busy airspace operations, cockpit resource management, and required recordkeeping—key elements of airline operations. He emphasized the importance of maintaining professionalism and discipline, as instilled during student training, for aspiring pilots to effectively build their flight hours.
To qualify for the scholarships, applicants must:
– Be a college student currently enrolled in an accredited aviation program.– Be a resident of the United States.– Maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
The Richard Mills Memorial Scholarship requires an additional letter of introduction from a current RACCA member or associate member to help candidates learn about the air cargo industry. Candidates are encouraged to visit a nearby RACCA member’s operation or contact a member to ask questions about the industry if no member is locally available.
The Terry Hibler Memorial Scholarship aims to encourage careers in industries supporting cargo operators, including maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aviation management, financial careers in insurance and leasing, manufacturing, airports, and other aviation services.
The application deadline is October 15, 2024. Scholarship selections will be made by November 30, with distributions to accredited schools on December 15.
The RACCA Aviation Scholarship application is available on the RACCA website
