AEA Educational Foundation Scholarship Program

Gene Baker Memorial Scholarship

$1,000

Open to all AEA members, their children, grandchildren or dependents. This scholarship may be used for any field of study at an accredited college or university and will be applied toward tuition only. The scholarship is in memory of Gene Baker, the first executive director of the Aircraft Electronics Association.

Jim Cook Honorary Scholarship

Up to $750

Open to all AEA members. This scholarship may be used to attend any AEA training course held online or in person at AEA headquarters in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, during the calendar year. The scholarship honors Jim Cook, the first chairman of the AEA Educational Foundation.

Application deadline is December 31, 2024

Monte Mitchell Scholarship

More than $1,500

This scholarship honors Monte Mitchell’s service of more than 40 years to the Aircraft Electronics Association and the general aviation industry. Mitchell first served as the AEA executive director and later as president of the association from 1977 to 1996. Under Mitchell’s leadership, the AEA Educational Foundation was created in 1990 to enhance, promote and secure the future of aviation and the AEA by furthering the education of students, technicians and members of the AEA. It will be awarded to an AEA member employee. The scholarship will cover a full AEA Convention registration along with travel and hotel expenses. The award recognizes an AEA member employee for their exemplary job performance and pursuit of professional development. This is an annual award to be given prior to the AEA International Convention and Trade Show.

Application deadline is February 1, 2025

Chuck Freeland Memorial Scholarship for Flight Training

$3,500

Named in memory of Chuck Freeland, former AEA board member and secretary, this scholarship is available to employees of AEA member companies who plan to pursue a recreational or private pilot certificate.

Sporty's Foundation Private Pilot Training for AEA Technicians

$6,000

Sponsored by The Sporty's Foundation, this scholarship is available to avionics technicians or avionics managers of an AEA Repair Station Member to use toward achieving their Private Pilot Certificate.

Aircraft Lighting International Scholarship

$5,000

Available to a high school senior or college student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an avionics or aircraft maintenance program.

Pat Napolitano Memorial Scholarship for Aspiring Technicians

$3,000

Pat Napolitano, Fleet Support Representative and Staggerwing Pilot for Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics was a respected employee and member of the aviation community. With more than 30 years of experience and over 4,500 hours of flight time, his passion for aircraft maintenance and flying was apparent to anyone who had the opportunity to meet him.

Through this scholarship, Pat’s legacy will inspire a new generation of aviators.

Available to all graduating seniors or current college students pursuing their Aviation Technician Certification.

Chuck Peacock Memorial Scholarship

$1,000

Given by Wanda Peacock in memory of her late husband, Chuck Peacock. As the founder of the Aircraft Electronics Association, Peacock credited his aviation and business management skills as the cornerstones for his success in the industry. This scholarship is offered to recognize the importance of management skills and is available to a high school senior or college student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an aviation management program.

David Arver Memorial Scholarship

$1,000

Given by Dutch and Ginger Arver in memory of their son, David. Dutch Arver was a supporter of the AEA for years and served on the board of directors until his retirement. The recipient of this scholarship shall be a high school senior or college student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an avionics or aircraft maintenance program.

Dutch and Ginger Arver Scholarship

$1,000

Available to a high school senior or college student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an avionics or aircraft maintenance program.

Garmin Scholarship

$2,000

Available to a high school senior or college student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an avionics or aircraft maintenance program.

Garmin–Jerry Smith Memorial Scholarship

$1,000

Available to a high school, college or vocational/technical school student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an avionics or aircraft maintenance program.

Gogo Scholarship

$2,500

Established in April 2012, the Gogo scholarship was created through a donation valued at more than $50,000 to the AEA Educational Foundation, providing a $2,500 annual scholarship for a 20-year period to an aspiring avionics or aircraft maintenance technician. Gogo is a provider of in-flight connectivity for business aviation. The Gogo scholarship is presented each year to a high school senior and/or college student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an avionics or aircraft maintenance program.

Johnny Davis Memorial Scholarship

$1,000

Named in memory of Johnny Davis, president of Dallas Avionics in Dallas, Texas, who supported the general aviation industry for more than 30 years and served as an AEA board member. This scholarship is available to a high school senior or college student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an avionics or aircraft maintenance program.

Kevin Miesbach Memorial Scholarship

$2,000

After graduating from Southeast Community College with a degree in electronics engineering technology, Kevin Miesbach began his 40-year career in aviation as an avionics installation technician with Lincoln Avionics in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Duncan Aviation purchased Lincoln Avionics shortly thereafter, and Kevin transitioned to Duncan as an avionics line and bench technician specializing in aircraft troubleshooting and bench repair of navigation and communications equipment.

Between 1985 and 2006, Kevin held positions at Duncan Aviation of avionics/instruments team leader, shop supervisor, assistant manager and manager. In 2016, Kevin was promoted to business development manager for component repairs.

Kevin had a strong technical skill set, was always willing to help, and he had an innate ability to communicate and build relationships with anyone he met. Everyone who knew Kevin always said he had a great laugh, sense of humor, and was always genuine and honest.

Personal and technical improvement was important to Kevin, and he logged over 500 training events during his career. Kevin understood the value of ongoing training and was steadfast in promoting AEA training opportunities to students, his team members and industry partners. Kevin led the development of Duncan Aviation-provided training at AEA regional and national events, and he participated on many industry and college boards. He received the AEA Member of the Year Award in 2020, and his knowledge and feedback were instrumental in the development of curriculum to properly prepare students for a career as an avionics technician.

The Kevin Miesbach Memorial Scholarship celebrates Kevin’s contribution to the avionics technician field and will continue to share his passion for the value that a career as an avionics technician has to offer.

This scholarship is available to a high school senior or college student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an avionics or aircraft maintenance program.

Lee Tarbox Memorial Scholarship

$2,500

Given by Pacific Southwest Instruments, this scholarship is available to a high school senior or college student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an avionics or aircraft maintenance program.

Marshall Temple Memorial Scholarship

$1,000

Named in memory of Marshall E. Temple, founder of Temple Electronics in Houston, Texas. Temple, a U.S. Navy veteran, started his business in 1973, which has been an AEA member ever since. This scholarship is available to a high school senior or college student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an avionics or aircraft maintenance program.

Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics Scholarship

$1,000

Available to a high school senior or college student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an avionics or aircraft maintenance program.

Susan T. Friedle Scholarship

$1,750

Available to a high school senior or college student who plans to attend or is attending an accredited school in an avionics or aircraft maintenance program.

Universal Avionics Scholarship

$1,500

Available to high school seniors and/or college students who plan to or are attending an accredited school in an avionics program or aircraft maintenance program.