Flight Training - August 2024 - 20

PREFLIGHT YOU CAN FLY
NEW CHALLENGES LAUNCHED
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE SKIES AND KEEPING THEM THERE SAFELY
THE 2024 YOU CAN FLY CHALLENGE IS GIVING THOSE
passionate about flying an opportunity to directly support
general aviation. Donations to the AOPA Foundation through
the challenge will be matched by the Ray Foundation, and will
support major initiatives to promote the future of GA. The
You Can Fly Challenge directly benefits important initiatives
of the AOPA Foundation You Can Fly program, which
continues to get more people into the skies and keep them
there safely.
The You Can Fly program comprises several important
initiatives including an aviation science, technology, engineering,
and math curriculum for high school students; resources
to help schools train pilots efficiently and effectively; a flying
clubs initiative that helps make flying more affordable; and a
focus on helping lapsed pilots return to active flying.
The generosity of more than 2,900 donors paid big dividends
in 2023, providing more than $3.5 million to the AOPA
Foundation, and unlocking the Ray Foundation's generous
match. The late James C. Ray was a World War II veteran and
a member of the AOPA Foundation President's Council who
believed that life skills are learned through aviation.
" You Can Fly is all about creating opportunities, and
the You Can Fly Challenge gives generous donors a unique
opportunity to double the impact of their gifts, " said Elizabeth
Tennyson, AOPA chief operating officer. " We're grateful
to the Ray Foundation and the thousands of donors who
participate in the challenge. Their support makes these initiatives
possible. "
The AOPA Foundation's You Can Fly program helps keep
GA robust through several important initiatives:
The AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Curriculum
provides aviation-based courses that allow students
to discover career opportunities in aviation and aerospace.
The program, which provides lessons in all four grades of high
school, is currently being taught to more than 23,000 students
20
FLIGHT TRAINING AUGUST 2024
in 46 states and the District of Columbia. To date, the initiative
has engaged more than 71,000 students, with 60 percent
of graduates reporting actively pursuing an aviation career.
The curriculum is offered free of charge to schools nationwide
and has broadened STEM and aviation opportunities
for underserved students. Of this year's class, 42 percent are
students of color and 23 percent are female, groups traditionally
underrepresented in aviation.
The You Can Fly Flight Training Initiative is redefining
the industry through the innovative AOPA Flight Training
Advantage (AFTA) app, a web- and iPad-based training
program designed to help make the process of flight training
more effective for all involved. AFTA is one way the initiative
is working with flight schools, flight instructors, and students
nationwide to create better flight training experiences.
To date, more than 15,000 total hours have been logged
through AFTA.
The AOPA Flying Clubs Initiative provides increased
access to aircraft and makes flying more affordable. The
initiative has helped form nearly 250 new flying clubs serving
thousands of pilots. By offering engaging content, workshops,
online resources, webinars, and ongoing counsel, the Flying
Clubs Initiative is helping to grow clubs nationwide.
The Rusty Pilots Initiative helps lapsed pilots return to
active flying. With in-person seminars, webinars, and online
coursework, pilots can refresh their knowledge and connect
with flight schools and instructors so they can complete a
flight review. More than 13,500 formerly rusty pilots are back
in the air after completing a Rusty Pilots course.
The 2024 You Can Fly Challenge is an excellent opportunity
to double the impact of your support. Tax-deductible
donations should be made by December 31 to count toward
the match. For more information, please contact the AOPA
Foundation at 800-872-2672 or online.
aopafoundation.org
MIKE FIZER
http://www.aopafoundation.org
Flight Training - August 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - August 2024
