Sheltair and Avfuel desire to re-invest in the aviation community by providing meaningful financial support to aviators pursuing a greater commitment to business aviation. In supporting career advancement opportunities, Sheltair and Avfuel are giving back to the marketplace that has allowed them to thrive as collaborative partners for close to 10 years.
The Sheltair and Avfuel: Future Takes Flight Scholarships will provide $30,000 in educational funds annually. Each year, the program will award six $5,000 scholarships across three categories: two for learning to fly or advanced pilot ratings; two for aviation technicians; and two for continuing education. By splitting the scholarship funds across three key categories, Sheltair and Avfuel seek to support advancement throughout a broad scope of educational opportunities within business aviation.
Learning to Fly or Advanced Pilot Ratings Scholarship | $5,000 Each
Scholarships available: 2
Funds in the learning to fly or advanced pilot ratings category can be used for coursework or flight lessons for students pursuing their private pilot certificate, adding a type rating (multi-engine, commercial or others), adding to their certificate with an ATP, completing a bachelor’s degree, working toward a CAM certification, or completing upset recovery training.
Before you begin the application, please ensure that you have the following information at the ready. For your convenience, the essay questions are also listed below, in the event you'd like to prepare your responses in advance.
- Pilot Certification Type & License Number, if applicable
- Upcoming Pilot Certification, Completion Date and School, if applicable
- Upload Airman’s Certificate, if applicable
- Resume or CV to Upload (optional)
- Work Experience, if applicable
- Essay Questions: Answer the following questions in 1000 characters or less
- Why do you want to pursue or further develop a career in general aviation and how do you plan to utilize the scholarship money?
- What is a challenge that you have identified in general aviation and how do you think that can be improved?
- How You Plan to Fund Educational Endeavors
Selection Criteria
A team of Avfuel and Sheltair executives will select the year’s six recipients based on essay submissions and with special consideration given to those facing financial hardship. Recipients of the 2026 scholarships have been notified and will be announced at the 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition.
Aviation Technicians Scholarship | $5,000 Each
Scholarships available: 2
Funds in the aviation technicians category can be used to start or continue aviation technician coursework, or achieve a mechanic’s inspector authorization certification.
Continuing Education Scholarship | $5,000 Each
Scholarships available: 2
Funds in the continuing education category can be used to further skills needed when working at an FBO, charter company, maintenance facility, or flight school.
Before you begin the application, please ensure that you have the following information at the ready. For your convenience, the essay questions are also listed below, in the event you'd like to prepare your responses in advance.
- Pilot Certification Type & License Number, if applicable
- Upcoming Pilot Certification, Completion Date and School, if applicable
- Upload Airman’s Certificate, if applicable
- Resume or CV to Upload (optional)
- Work Experience, if applicable
- Essay Questions: Answer the following questions in 1000 characters or less
- Why do you want to pursue a career in general aviation and how do you plan to utilize the scholarship money?
- What is a challenge that you have identified in general aviation and how do you think that can be improved?
- How You Plan to Fund Educational Endeavors
SELECTION
A team of Avfuel and Sheltair executives will select the year’s six recipients based on essay submissions and with special consideration given to those facing financial hardship.
PAYMENT OF SCHOLARSHIPS
The Future Takes Flight Scholarships will be distributed by check. The check will be made payable to the recipient and the educational institution of the recipient’s choice. The check must be endorsed by both and must be used for the purposes of furthering the recipient’s aviation education. The scholarship must be redeemed within one year of receiving the award notice.
Recipients must provide Avfuel and Sheltair with a detailed description of how the funds will be used.
Scholarship Value: $5,000
Awards Available: 6
Award Deadline: Register to View