Alaska Rural Aviation Academy – Flight Program
Year Round Pathway, Includes Summer Portion
The Alaska Rural Aviation Academy was established in 2023 as a means to give rural Alaskan students the opportunity and resources to enter into the field of aviation pilotage with the guidance and support to successfully complete their private pilot certification. Through ARAA-Flight students gain a deep understanding of Aviation history throughout Alaska, gain the knowledge and study strategies needed to ACE their FAA Written Exam and the foundation & fundamentals to continue building upon as they progress through their 40 hours of flight training. Upon successful completion of this program, students will gain their Private Pilots License, have internship opportunities & have built a foundation for themselves to continue into their aviation career of choice.
Recruitment Process
Introduction to Aviation Pilotage, ARAA-Flight Training Recruitment –
Phase 1 – Intensive Week 1: October 2-6, 2023 CLOSED
- Deadline to Apply: September 11
Phase 2 – Intensive Week 2: November 6-10, 2023
- Deadline to Apply: October 11
Phase 3 – Intensive Week 3: March 18-22, 2024
- Deadline to Apply: TBD
A group of 12 students will participate in an Intro to Aviation Pilotage course through CKT Aviation and Swoop Flight Training. Intro to Aviation Pilotage will encompass basic aviation terminology, what the different training paths look like, how to apply for scholarship opportunities, and what different programs exist. Students will be introduced to FAA Exam prep, learning about Aerodynamics, and applying the knowledge to answering and studying for FAA Exam questions. Students are taught how to study like a pilot and learn the tools to use to prepare for check rides and written exams. Students also learn about barriers to employment, safety measures, and Federal Aviation Regulations. Students will have the opportunity to gain flight simulator time as well as participate in a Cessna 175 discovery flight. This course is a recruitment course for the 2024 spring ARAA Flight Training.
ARAA-Flight Training
Intensive Week 4: April 29-May 3, 2024
The 10 students invited to participate in the ARAA Flight Training will travel to Anchorage where they will dive deeper into the FAA Knowledge Exam, learn about the history of aviation in Alaska and tour the museum in Anchorage. Students will use the flight simulator to gain more understanding on instruments and controls as well as begin their flight training hours. During this week students will obtain their 3rd class medical certification and submit their student pilot certification application, which are both necessary before they can solo an aircraft.
Distance: May 6-May 31, 2024 (4 weeks)
10 students will begin their flight training ground school via distance learning where they will begin studying for the FAA Written Exam. This will transition right into the ARAA-Flight Training Summer Capstone (June 3, 2024 – August 3, 2024).
Summer Flight Training: June 2, 2024-August 3, 2024
Flight training will commence on June 3rd at one of four locations. Two locations will be in-region, two locations will be out-of-region (Anchorage/Palmer/Talkeetna). This program is a three-month program where students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to complete their private pilot license check-ride. Students will be allocated two, one week breaks in this time frame where they can travel home and visit family. More details will be provided upon acceptance into this program.
