The Mansfield Lahm Airport has served our community well by being one of the finest general aviation airports in our state. However, in recent years, as the cost of flying has risen, many who had the dream of becoming a pilot may have found it beyond their financial means. We hope that the funds raised for these scholarships will enable some of those individuals in the Richland area the opportunity to fulfill their dream and keep general aviation in our community vibrant into the future.
It is difficult to raise money for an aviation scholarship. Many people don’t donate because they think pilots are rich, and they don’t need money. The truth is, education is expensive. Flight training is expensive. Many of our scholarship recipients go on to further training either at a flight school or a college that offers degrees in aviation.
Aviation is an industry. Every day, the FAA handles more than 44,000 flights for 3 million airline passengers. Airline pilots fly those passengers safely to their next destination. Carriers hire new pilots every day. Those new pilots have to be trained to fly those passengers. It is incredibly expensive to obtain the required flight hours, education, and experience to fly an aircraft safely. The credentials pilots earn during their education give them what they need to obtain a lifelong career as a pilot.
Whenever you fly somewhere, for work, vacation, or to visit friends and family, know that the people on the other side of that flight deck door dedicated years of their lives to have the privilege to take you wherever you want to go.
Thank you!!
Mansfield Aviation Club 