The Flying Musicians Association (FMA) would like to help students discover aviation and enhance their musical skills through scholarships.

The FMA, which was founded in 2009, recognizes the link between musicians and aviators. Both pursuits require dedication, focus, and the acquisition of knowledge and physical skills. And both can bring together people from diverse backgrounds on common ground.

The FMA has two scholarships available. Its Solo Learn to Fly Program will take a high school student up through their first solo, and the Swing Wing scholarship will enable a deserving young person to attend New York Hot Jazz Camp.

“FMA members love assisting others who share our passions of flying and music,” John Zapp, FMA president and CEO, said in a statement. “To be able to assist and watch our student members grow through aviation and music while inspiring and assisting others is such a rewarding experience.”

The FMA has awarded 17 scholarships in 11 years. In addition to the scholarships, each nominee is onboarded as a student member of the association and assigned a mentor. Mentorship is key when beginning an aviation career. A mentor can provide guidance on selecting a flight school, what to look for in an instructor, and offer encouragement along the way.

How to Apply

The  Swing Wing scholarship is open to all members of FMA between the ages of 18 and 28. Exceptions can be made for members under 18 with parental consent.

The scholarships are made available through support of organizations, businesses, and individuals in both the music and aviation industry. One of the association’s key members is country music star Aaron Tippin, who also holds a commercial pilot certificate and A&P rating.

More information about how to apply for the Solo Learn to Fly Program may be found here, and the Swing Wing scholarship here.

The post Flying Musicians Association Now Accepting Scholarship Applications appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

FMA is accepting nominees for the FMA Solo Learn to Fly program. The scholarship is open to high school music students who have an interest in aviation. The FMA Solo program provides flight training through solo (approximately 15 hours of dual instruction) and assistance in obtaining flight training materials and flight gear, along with a sponsored student membership in FMA. 

Applicants need to have parental permission if under the age of 18, proof of citizenship, and be able to acquire a third-class medical certificate or state issued driver’s license or the equivalent.

The scholarship is made available in cooperation with FMA’s corporate members and sponsors nationwide. The program is available to junior and senior high school students who have been nominated by their music teacher or director.

FMA members are eager to share their passions of flying and music, growing both segments in society, according to FMA president and CEO John Zapp.

“The program has assisted many students who remain engaged,” Zapp said. “There are now many additional private pilots that have come from this program. 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 to inspire future pilots, musicians, and leaders the right way.”

Nominations for the FMA Solo program are due by January 31. Finalists will be notified March 1, and award winners will be notified by May 1.

FMA is also accepting nominees for the FMA Swing Wing scholarship, which enables the winner to attend the New York Hot Jazz Camp. 

The Swing Wing scholarship is open to all members of the FMA between the ages of 18 and 28 (an exception can be made for FMA members under 18 with parent permission) and will allow them to attend the jazz camp, which is described as an immersive experience with New York’s finest traditional jazz musicians and recording artists. The camp is designed to increase the participants’ knowledge of classic jazz. Participants will explore this uniquely American form of music developed in the Southern U.S. and the subtitles gained as it migrated to New York, Chicago, and the West Coast in the 1920s and 1930s. 

The scholarship is open to both instrument and voice musicians. The application requires a 150-word essay and a recommendation from another if able.

The weeklong camp begins on April 28.

For more information, send emails to Education@FlyingMusicians.org.

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