Youth Aviation Organizations
The Organizations Building the Next Generation
Before there were STEM programs and corporate initiatives, there were volunteer-driven aviation organizations putting kids in airplanes, teaching them to build models, and connecting them with pilots who looked like them. Many of these organizations have been running for decades. Some are free. All are powered by adults who believe that every kid deserves a chance to fly.
The organizations on this page share a common approach: direct, personal exposure to aviation. Civil Air Patrol puts cadets in cockpits — free. EAA Young Eagles gives kids their first airplane ride — free. OBAP sends Black pilots into classrooms. Women in Aviation International runs Girls in Aviation Day for 42,000 participants. The Academy of Model Aeronautics has 2,500 flying fields where kids build and fly model aircraft.
These aren't classroom programs. They're communities — ongoing relationships with mentors, peers, and organizations that sustain students through the long journey from curiosity to career.
Organization Directory
| Organization | Ages | Cost | What It Offers | Key Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Air Patrol — Cadet Program | 12-18 | $30-47/yr dues | 5 powered + 5 glider flights free. Cadet Wings program pays for full private pilot certificate (88% completion rate). 16 achievement levels. Summer activities at military bases. International exchange (70 cadets/year). Billy Mitchell Award = enlist at E-3. | 1,500+ squadrons. 560+ aircraft. 379+ pilots certified since 2019. 10%+ of USAFA classes are ex-CAP. |
| EAA Young Eagles | 8-17 | Free | Free introductory airplane flight with volunteer pilot (15-20 min, may handle controls). Unlocks free Sporty's ground school. Ray Aviation Scholarship: $12,000 toward private pilot license (~187 scholarships/year). | 2.3M+ youth flown since 1992. 50,000+/year. 900+ EAA chapters. |
| AOPA HS Aviation Curriculum | High school | Free | Complete 4-year aviation STEM curriculum: Pilot Pathway (3 courses toward FAA PPL written) and UAS Pathway (3 courses toward FAA Part 107 drone cert at age 16). Free teacher PD, no aviation background required. | Six courses. NGSS/FAA aligned. STEM.org reviewed. Used by schools nationwide. |
| OBAP (Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals) | Middle/HS | Free/low-cost | ACE Academy at 46 locations (1,100 students/year). Solo Flight Academy: 2-week intensive, ages 16-19, students can solo. APIS sends Black pilots into classrooms. 100,000+ youth reached annually. | 46 ACE locations. Black pilots = ~3% of commercial pilots. Open to all students. |
| Women in Aviation International | 5+ | Free junior membership | Girls in Aviation Day: 42,000 participants (2025), career panels, cockpit tours, simulators, hands-on STEM. 100+ scholarships annually. Aviation for Girls magazine and app. | 180,000+ GIAD participants over 11 years. 100+ scholarships/year. Conference open to all genders. |
| Aviation Exploring (Scouting America) | 6th grade - age 20 | $0-25 | Career-focused aviation clubs ("posts") at airports, flight schools, FBOs. Youth-led. Airport tours, simulator time, guest speakers (airline pilots, ATCs, mechanics), airshow trips. No prior Scouting required. | ~78 posts nationwide. Bi-monthly to monthly meetings. |
| Scouting America Aviation Merit Badge | 11-17 | Free | Build and fly a model/drone, visit airport or FAA facility, use simulator, interview aviation professional. Fully revised May 2025 with digital resources. Not required for Eagle. | ~13,000 Scouts/year. 37th most popular badge. |
| Girl Scouts Aviation Badge | 6-18 | $3/badge | Five badge levels from Brownie to Ambassador. Four forces of flight, aircraft instruments, meet women pilots (Ninety-Nines), airport/museum visits, crew hot air balloon. 100% of funds go to flight scholarships. | 5,500+ girls across all 50 states. Created by troop leader + KY Ninety-Nines. |
| Academy of Model Aeronautics | K-12 | Youth $20/yr; Young Aviators free | Build and fly model aircraft/drones. UAS4STEM Drone Challenge (national competition, ages 11-19). MASC school clubs. AeroLab curriculum (free, middle school). $2.5M liability insurance included. | 2,500+ flying sites. UAS4STEM Championship at EAA AirVenture. AeroLab funded by Alcoa Foundation. |
Which Organization Is Right for You
These organizations serve different students at different stages. Here's how to choose:
If you've never been in an airplane: Start with EAA Young Eagles. One free flight, one afternoon, zero commitment. Find a rally at youngeagles.org.
If you want ongoing structure and a path to flying: Civil Air Patrol is the most comprehensive. Weekly meetings, free flight training, summer activities on military bases, leadership development, and the Cadet Wings program can fund your entire private pilot certificate. It's the most proven pipeline to military and civilian aviation careers.
If your school doesn't have an aviation program: Ask your school to adopt the AOPA High School Curriculum. It's free, requires no aviation expertise from teachers, and can be running within a semester. Students can earn FAA Part 107 drone certification at age 16.
If you're an underrepresented student in aviation:
- OBAP — specifically built to bring Black students into aerospace. ACE Academy at 46 locations, Solo Flight Academy for ages 16-19
- Women in Aviation International — Girls in Aviation Day, 100+ scholarships annually, free junior membership starting at age 5
- Girl Scouts Aviation Badge — 100% of badge sales fund flight scholarships for girls
If you like building things with your hands: Academy of Model Aeronautics — 2,500 flying fields, school clubs, and a national drone competition. This is where future aerospace engineers start.
These organizations stack. A student who flies with Young Eagles at age 10, joins CAP at 12, earns the Aviation Merit Badge at 13, and competes in UAS4STEM at 15 has built an aerospace identity — and a resume — before they ever apply to college. The organizations know each other and often coordinate: EAA hosts CAP's National Blue Beret, OBAP runs FAA ACE Academies, and AMA partners with FAA on drone education.