Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is America’s premier public service organization for carrying out emergency services and disaster relief missions nationwide. As the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP’s vigilant citizen volunteers are there to search for and find the lost, provide comfort in times of disaster and work to keep the homeland safe. CAP is America’s premiere opportunity for air-minded youth. Thanks to CAP adult volunteers, cadets learn about the fundamentals of aviation through classroom activities, self-study texts, orientation flights, and formal flight training.
Young Eagles
Launched in 1992, the Young Eagles program has dedicated more than 25 years to giving youth ages 8–17 their first free ride in an airplane. It’s the only program of its kind, with the sole mission to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation. Visit www.youngeagles.org for information on a flight near you. Becoming a Young Eagle is easy and it’s offered free of charge. To be eligible for a FREE EAA Student Membership you must have flown as an EAA Young Eagle, and be between the ages of 8 and 19 years old. Young Eagles membership gives you access to discounts on merchandise, flight experiences, the EAA Air Academy and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh; aviation camps, aviation scholarship opportunities, and other information resources.
Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings
Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings are national sister organizations, working together to develop future leaders through community service, professional development, and education about our national defense. The focus of the Arnold Air Society mission is to build strong officers for the United States Air Force. AAS is formally affiliated with AFROTC and the Air Force Association. It is a national extracurricular organization available to Air Force ROTC and Academy cadets.
Silver Wings also focuses on leadership development, and both organizations work together to further each other’s’ goals. Silver Wings (SW) is a national, co-ed, professional organization dedicated to creating proactive, knowledgeable, and effective civic leaders through community service and education about national defense.
Commemorative Air Force
Collecting aircraft for nearly a half a century, the Commemorative Air Force now ranks as one of the largest air forces in the world. Today the CAF has approximately 13,000 members and a fleet of more than 175 aircraft representing more than 60 different types—including planes from several foreign countries and other military conflicts since World War II. The Headquarters of the CAF is located in Dallas. CAF Objectives: 1. To acquire, restore and preserve in flying condition a complete collection of combat aircraft which were flown by all military services of the United States and selected aircraft of other nations for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations of Americans. 2. To provide museum buildings for the permanent protection and display of these aircraft as a tribute to the thousands of men and women who built, serviced and flew them. 3. To perpetuate in the memory and in the hearts of all Americans the spirit in which these great planes were flown in the defense of our nation. 4. To establish an organization having the dedication, enthusiasm and esprit de corps necessary to operate, maintain and preserve these aircraft as symbols of our American military aviation heritage.
Women in Aviation International
Women in Aviation International (WAI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests. Their diverse membership includes astronauts, corporate and airline pilots, maintenance technicians, engineers, air traffic controllers, business owners, educators, journalists, flight attendants, high school and university students, air show performers, airport managers, and many others. Membership includes job search opportunities, scholarship opportunities, access to mentors in your industry, and much more.
Daedalian Foundation
The mission of the Daedalian Foundation is to promote military aviation, education, citizenship and charity. One of their goals is to inspire young Americans to pursue careers as military aviators, via college scholarships, flying instruction and other educational opportunities.
Free Course-Aviation 101, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
For children ages 8 to 17, self-paced, six-hour online course that introduces youth to aviation fundamentals. The course explores basic aspects of flight and teaches students how to identify major parts of an airplane, describe the flight characteristics of a helicopter and discuss space exploration.
Air Force Recruiting Service DET 1
AIM High Flight Academy is a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-based, aviation-focused, motivation and mentorship program designed to increase diversity in the aviation career field. The centers upon robust interaction with Total Force role models and mentors.
Pathways Flight Academies
Free Summer High School Flight Academy for Virginia residents. Virginia Space Grant Consortium, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, Averett University, Aviation Adventures, and the Virginia Department of Aviation, is offering flight academies for selected high school students statewide in response to the national shortage. Students admitted to this intensive program will undertake ground school and flight training that can culminate in their first solo flight at the end of the academy.
Pilot Medical Certification
Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA)
IACRA is the web-based certification/rating application that guides the user through the FAA's airman application process. IACRA helps ensure applicants meet regulatory and policy requirements through the use of extensive data validation. It also uses electronic signatures to protect the information's integrity, eliminates paper forms, and prints temporary certificates.
Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO)
FSDO is a locally affiliated field office of the United States Federal Aviation Administration.
Federal Aviation Administration Links