Fedex Commits $2.5 Million in Scholarships for Pilot Training
Fedex has announced that they will provide $2.5 Million to create scholarships to help the next generation of aviation professionals with the cost of their education.
The new pilot scholarship programming is being called The FedEx Purple Runway Aviation Scholarship and is an extension of the Company’s aviation pathway program Purple Runway that they announced in spring of 2018.
The Purple Runway pilot development program was created to assist FedEx Express feeder operators with the recruitment and retention of pilots who wish to eventually fly for mainline Fedex Express.
David Cunningham, president and CEO of FedEx Express, said the U.S. education system should increase its focus on preparing young people for jobs in the aviation industry.
“E-commerce is driving increasing demands on both air and ground transportation networks at a time when large numbers of workers in these fields are retiring, or nearing retirement,” Cunningham said. “We are working with schools to strengthen the pipeline of talented and diverse pilots, mechanics and other aviation professionals. The FedEx Purple Runway Aviation Scholarship helps lay that foundation for an individual to have a promising and successful career in the industry that FedEx Express created.”
The $2.5 million in grants will go be awarded to students attending aviation courses of study at the University of North Dakota, University of Memphis, Indiana State University, Delta State University, Arkansas State University Mid-South, and Tennessee College of Applied Technology.
Fedex Also Has a Scholarship For Women Pilots
Fedex is also awarding two scholarships to women to obtain a B767 type rating. The training program will include all appropriate materials and will take place in Memphis, Tennessee, in Fall 2019.
To qualify for the type rating scholarship, in addition to being a women, applicants must:
- Hold a commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating and multi-engine rating
- Have at least 1,500 hours of flight experience
- Hold a first class medical certificate
Greg started his professional pilot journey in 2002 after graduating from Embry Riddle. Since that time he has accumulated over 8,000 hours working as a pilot. Greg’s professional experience includes flight instructing, animal tracking, backcountry flying, forest firefighting, passenger charter, part 135 cargo, flying for a regional airline, a national low cost airline, a legacy airline, and also working as a manager in charge of Part 135 and Part 121 training programs.
