I Hart Flying Foundation ‘Springs into Action’ with more than $30,000 in Scholarships, industry support launching May 6

Delivering more than $30,000 in flight training scholarship funds matched with valuable industry packages illustrates I Hart Flying’s goal to spring into action at a time where funds are becoming an even more critical need in this space. “Spring into Action,” launches Monday, May 6 for three weeks, with applications open until May 24. For women in aviation, the gender gap is still very staggering, and many women see finances as a hindrance to completing or continuing their flight training journeys. Having coached, mentored, and awarded scholarships to 35 women since 2017, the organization is no stranger to understanding need, merit, and scholars having the right attitude and course correction to be successful in aviation. However, it’s following through, following up and staying consistent that each successful Hart scholar shares in reaching their goals. It’s also being present and becoming your best advocate that Hart scholars attest as valuable characteristics in overcoming obstacles. 

Rachelle Spector, founder of I Hart Flying Foundation commented: “Flight training is no cake walk. Each year we offer multiple themed scholarship opportunities and meet incredible women paving their own way in the aviation space. We’re honored to be a part of each lady’s journey and witness where they’ve come from to where they’ve landed in their respective professional aviation careers!”

Priscilla Yecora-Tirado, public relations and community specialist with veteran partner, Sheltair said: “As a veteran partner to I Hart Flying, we’ve watched closely how the organization operates, looks out for the partner as well as the scholars and ensures the best candidates are awarded who will not only represent themselves in good light, yet also us partners and overall organization. We’re honored I Hart Flying engulfs us in the entire scholarship process; from launch to high energy social media engagement, video submissions and even aiding the scholarship committee in candidate selections. It’s not just about writing a check for us, it’s the full scale, high impact participation we enjoy!”

Megan Brien, manager of meetings and membership engagement for The General Aviation Manufacturers Association stated: “As an industry organization working to foster growth and protect the interests of those in our general aviation community, we are excited to be a new supporter of the Hart Nation. Partnering with I Hart Flying Foundation to aid women in aviation and support youth outreach in STEM fields aligns with our commitment to, together, boost a thriving industry, and a diverse one!”

“I’m proud to be considered part of the Hart Nation, and what it means to impact the lives of so many women in this space,” expressed Lisa Kollar, dean of students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “I’ve participated with I Hart Flying as one of the first scholarship committee members and impressed by the hard work of a majority volunteer operation that’s built an incredible tribe of scholars turned volunteers, donors turned friends and helped break silos in organizations needing a place to collaborate!”

Funding these scholarships is no easy task. There must be well established relationships in industry and a strong network of donors, partners, and people to make such a well-oiled machine work. This themed scholarship, “Spring into Action” is the third opportunity of I Hart Flying Foundation’s multi-year campaign, Hart Aviation Nation Delivers - H.A.N.D. For short. Each opportunity is coupled with youth outreach events and speaking engagements to create a more hands-on approach to encouraging our youth to explore and experience STEM and aviation careers as well. 

This May, the themed scholarship opportunity, “Spring into Action,” is funded through the support of veteran partners Immaculate Flight, Sheltair, a grant from the Enterprise Mobility Foundation and new partners, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., and General Aviation Manufacturers Association. More than $30,000 is planned to fund multiple scholarship awards, pilot training supplies and other flight equipment by a variety of I Hart Flying’s loyal in-kind partners. Some of these partners include King Schools, Bose Aviation, FLYING Magazine, AEG Fuels, FlyteCo Tower, Go Rentals, Boeing Business Jets, AOPA, Titan Aviation Fuels, Airbus Corporate Jets, Jet Support Services, Inc., Dassault Falcon Jet, and Veryon to name a few.

Each scholarship launch grows I Hart Flying’s Hart Nation, a community of valued partners, donors, collaborators, scholars, board members and the diverse scholarship committee.