The Buzz about WASP

We’d like to take you back to 2013. A year of selfies, YOLOing, and the Harlem Shake, but in Williamsburg VA, it was the year of WASP–Williamsburg Aviation Scholarship Program. Community aviators came together and began discussing the looming pilot shortage, its implications, and the primary barrier to entering aviation: the cost of training. Luckily these pilots had an idea: a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on paying for 50 flight hours for local high-school juniors and seniors towards earning their private pilot certification. By 2014 WASP was incorporated and began empowering young people to pursue aviation careers.?

With 12 students in its current Class of ‘24,? WASP has now awarded 69 scholarships. More than 40 students from previous classes have earned their private pilot certificates! Over the past 9 years, WASP’s efforts have inspired these students to be passionate, educated, and hardworking. Career paths that WASP students follow include military, commercial, education, and private aviation. Three previous scholarship recipients even work as Williamsburg Flight Center Instructors now – teaching the next generation of WASP students!?

Here are what a few of our WASP 2024 students had to say at their fundraising fly-in/drive-in breakfast event!??Link to video :)

WASP and JGG have been intertwined from the start. WASP ground school takes place in our upstairs conference space, the WASP board holds monthly meetings on site, and several of the board members are JGG tenants. Many WASP fundraising events are hosted on our premises as well, including the monthly fly-in/drive-in pancake breakfasts! Locals and pilots from all over the East Coast join us for delicious breakfasts, raffle prizes, and networking opportunities. The September breakfast saw a peak turnout for 2023 and raised $1,594 (Don’t miss the last two 2023 breakfasts on 10/14? & 11/11)!

So how do WASP scholarship funds work? Money is raised entirely through donations and fundraising. Scholarship funds go towards in-personground school, books and materials, 50 hours of flight instruction, the FAA knowledge exam fee, and a check ride fee with an FAA examiner. In addition to financing recipients’ training, each WASP student is matched with a board member for mentorship throughout the program’s 13-month duration. Meanwhile, all flight training is accomplished through Williamsburg Flight Center’s Part-61 Flight School located at JGG.?

Questions? Comment down below or reach out to WASP through their facebook page.

Thank you for reading!

Williamsburg Jamestown Airport

#scholarship #aviation #airport #education

1. Want to learn more about this incredible organization HQd at JGG? Visit: https://www.waspscholarship.org/
2. Donations can be made here:? https://www.waspscholarship.org/donate?
3. WASP 2022 annual report: https://designrr.page/?id=302127&token=3832844059&type=FP&h=2410?