Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Announces 2015 Grant Recipients

October 21, 2015 - Palm Springs, CA—October 16, 2015—The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation has announced the five aviation charities as chosen through online voting to receive grants of $2,000—$10,000. The live announcement was made today at the FLYING Aviation Expo sponsored by Scheyden, in Palm Springs, California.

The top five Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Pilots Choice Award recipients in descending number of votes received for 2015 are:

No. 1 Pilots N Paws—Awarded a cash grant of $10,000 and No. 1 vote recipient
Pilots N Paws brings pilots and plane owners together to share the gift of flight to assist with the transportation of rescue, shelter, or foster animals. The Pilots Choice grant will be used to host flyway events and fund booth space at various pilot functions to increase awareness of Pilots N Paws.

No. 2 The Ninety-Nines—Awarded a cash grant of $8,000 
The Ninety-Nines advances women in aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while sharing an international passion for flight. The Pilots Choice grant will be used to continue and expand outreach activities and develop new and unique programs.

No. 3 Civil Air Patrol—Awarded a cash grant of $6,000
Civil Air Patrol is volunteer citizens serving communities through emergency services, aerospace education, and an on-going cadet program. The Pilots Choice grant will help fund and expand youth participation in the K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) program.

No. 4 NTM Aviation—Awarded a cash grant of $4,000 
New Tribes Mission is pilots and technicians providing direct, efficient, and safe missionary aviation support in remote areas around the world. The Pilots Choice grant will be applied toward their need for a fuel efficient airplane in Papua New Guinea.

No. 5 JAARS—Awarded a cash grant of $2,000 
JAARS provides aviation support, transportation, and information services to speed the task of Bible translation around the world, including new programs added in 2014 in Australia and Tanzania.

Seven honorees each received an award commemorating their recognition as a Lightspeed Aviation Foundation finalist and will receive a Lightspeed headset. They are listed in alphabetical order:

Angel Flight West
Experience Aviation
Miracle Flights for Kids
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Missionary Flights International
Patient AirLift Services
Patriots Jet Team Foundation

“Awarding these aviation charities provides the opportunity to advance their individual cause and together expand awareness and appreciation for aviation,” said Allan Schrader, president of Lightspeed Aviation. “Since its inception, the Pilots Choice voting and awards have introduced us all to dozens of worthy charities and amazing people that are making a significant impact around the world.”

The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation was established in 2010 out of the commitment and passion of the Lightspeed Aviation Corporation to serve the aviation community.