LIGHTSPEED AVIATION FOUNDATION, EAA’s RAY AVIATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO BENEFIT YOUNG PILOTS

LAKELAND, Florida — (April 3, 2019) — The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation is recognizing the accomplishments of young aviators who are EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship recipients, by awarding a Lightspeed Zulu 3 headset to each recipient on the path to successfully completing flight training.

The headset donations, announced at the SUN ’n FUN Fly-In at Lakeland, Florida, recognizes the importance of the Ray Aviation Scholarships of up to $10,000 from the Experimental Aircraft Association. Those scholarships allow young people to take flight training in their local regions. The Ray Foundation has provided $1 million to EAA to fund these scholarships for up to 100 young people, as the program seeks to improve the flight training success rate from the current 20 percent level to 80 percent for those participating in the scholarship program.

“EAA has successfully shown its commitment to growing aviation through participation by young people in such programs as Young Eagles and now the Ray Aviation Scholarship initiative,” said Allan Schrader, founder and president of Lightspeed Aviation. “The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation, through its 2019 Growth Initiative, wants to empower great programs, such as this one from EAA, to make them even more effective in expanding and promoting a vibrant pilot community.”

EAA announced the first two Ray Aviation Scholarships recipients in February. The program is managed by EAA and administered through its chapter network, which identifies candidates and mentors them through flight training. More than 200 EAA chapters from all regions of the country have applied to participate in the scholarship program and mentor aspiring pilots.

“It’s fun, it’s discovery, and it’s a fantastic introduction to the world of flight,” Chaimson said. “Stop by and bring the entire family. At selected locations, we are even bringing along our own Stan Lee-inspired superhero, Aviore, who was created through a cooperative effort by EAA and the Stan Lee Foundation in 2017 as an inspiration to young people all over the world, encouraging them to follow their passions and find their place in the sky!”

“The leadership of the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation in supporting and encouraging efforts to grow the aviation community is an excellent example of understanding the importance of focusing on new pilot growth,” said Jack Pelton, EAA CEO and chairman. “Through programs such as Ray Aviation Scholarships, our goal is twofold: To inspire and welcome more young people who want to pursue their personal dreams of flight, and to boost the success rate of those who begin flight training through consistent mentorship and recognition. An enormous thanks go to Lightspeed for its support.”

A Lightspeed Zulu 3 headset will be awarded to each scholar upon completion of their solo flight and ground school requirements, as a step toward ultimately completing flight training. Using social media tools and benchmarks to maximize reach, their stories will exemplify the possibilities available to young people in aviation and the resources available to them in their local regions.

“Watching young people achieve their dreams of flight is our objective,” Schrader said. “As tools for enhanced flight training, we’re thrilled our headsets will help these scholars earn their wings and facilitate clear growth for aviation.”

About Lightspeed Aviation Foundation

The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation was established in 2010 out of the commitment and passion of the Lightspeed Aviation Corporation to serve the aviation community. Lightspeed Aviation introduced its first product at the 1996 EAA Fly-In Convention and has established a reputation for leading product innovation in aviation headsets with a number of “first to market” advances in comfort, quiet, clarity, and pilot-centric functionality. This has earned Lightspeed a loyal customer following among professional, commercial, and private pilots.

About EAA

EAA embodies The Spirit of Aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 220,000 members and nearly 900 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with www.twitter.com/EAA.