By Madeline Wooten
Amy Whelan, EAA 1283566, is making strides in aviation while giving back to EAA, the organization that first sparked and supported her passion for flight.
With no family background in aviation, Amy relied on EAA’s Young Eagles program to help her discover a path into the industry. Since the program’s birth in 1992, the Young Eagles mission has remained the same — to introduce youths ages 8-17 to flight. It’s the only program of its kind that’s inspiring the next generation of aviators in such an impactful way.
Amy took her first Young Eagles flight at age 16, unaware of the opportunities that would follow.
“I didn’t think it was possible at that age. I thought it was something you’d do in college or after college. I didn’t have anyone in my family with a background in aviation, so I was figuring it all out myself. The program really helped me succeed by showing me how I wanted to do it and what I wanted to do,” she said.
After that first flight, Amy received scholarships from EAA Chapter 1541 in Lincoln, California, to attend ground school and the EAA Air Academy, a summer camp in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, that provides hands-on learning opportunities for those interested in aviation. The camp opened her eyes to the many career paths available to her.
As Amy continued her education and flight training, EAA remained a constant source of support. As a recipient of the EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship, she was able to get financial assistance to complete her flight training and earn her private pilot certificate. On top of that, the Jack Burnham scholarship, an EAA postsecondary scholarship, helped fund her Bachelor of Science in aeronautical science with a minor in airline operations at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
“I knew it was going to be a life-changing experience. Every single time, it was amazing to feel the support from EAA and know they believed in my career and wanted to help me move forward at every stage,” Amy said.
After graduating, Amy received the EAA Florence “Coffy” Gregory scholarship to complete her airline transport pilot certification training program (ATP-CTP).
“It’s been everything to me because it’s given me the experiences to get where I am today and made it possible to pursue this life in aviation,” Amy said. “Even now, I still attribute so much of what I’ve accomplished to EAA and my upbringing in aviation.”
Today, Amy monitors and manages autonomous small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) supporting commercial drone delivery operations for Wing. Over the next five years, she hopes to fly for a regional airline before eventually joining a major airline.
Throughout her aviation journey, Amy has remained committed to giving back to the organization that helped launch her career. She volunteers as a Young Eagles pilot and Air Academy counselor, introducing young people, especially those without an aviation background, to the same opportunities that inspired her.
Her advice to aspiring pilots is simple: Network, ask questions, and listen.
“Go out there, put yourself out there, ask all the questions you have. But also sit and listen to other people’s experiences and learn from everyone else. Then, once you’re in a position where you have some knowledge, be willing to pass it on and share it with the next generation.”
Interested in pursuing flight or a career in aviation? Learn more about EAA scholarships at EAA.org/Scholarships. Applications are open each year from October 1 through December 19.