Giving young aviators their wings.
The Williamsburg Aviation Scholarship Program provides full scholarships, mentorship, and flight training to high school students pursuing a future in aviation — at no cost to their families.
Born from a love of flight and a call to service.
The Williamsburg Aviation Scholarship Program was founded in 2014 by three lifelong aviators who wanted to open the door to flight training for young people who would otherwise never get the chance. Over a decade later, that mission still drives every flight, every lesson, and every checkride.
Tuck McAtee
Vietnam F-100 pilot, original F-16 test pilot, Oshkosh race pilot, first WASP Board President. 60+ years in the cockpit.
Charley Rogers
Lifelong aviator and community leader. Instrumental in WASP's founding and continued operations.
Shaun Stewart
Owner of Williamsburg Flight Center, where every WASP student receives their flight training.
Meet our Board of Directors
Retired generals, airline captains, and lifelong aviators who volunteer their time to keep WASP flying.
From ground school to first solo and beyond.
Every WASP scholar follows a structured pathway from classroom fundamentals to their FAA Private Pilot Certificate — supported by a dedicated mentor every step of the way.
Selection
Local high school students apply and interview. Selected scholars are matched with a personal aviation mentor.
Ground School
Students complete FAA ground school covering aerodynamics, weather, navigation, regulations, and flight planning.
Flight Training
Hands-on training at Williamsburg Flight Center — from first takeoff to solo flight in the local pattern.
Checkride
Students sit the FAA written exam and complete their checkride — earning their Private Pilot Certificate.
Meet this year's scholars.
Fourteen students are currently working toward their Private Pilot Certificate, paired with experienced aviator mentors from across the Williamsburg community.
Alumni Voices
It was an exciting challenge learning how to operate and fly an aircraft all by yourself, being pushed to your limits and it was a great experience.
It was this great opportunity to become familiar with flying and the career itself, and now I know I want to do it for the rest of my life — the best decision I've ever made.
There is truly nothing that compares with aviation. From the cockpit, the breathtaking view makes me realize how insignificant I am overall. The freedom of flying restores my soul.
A decade of pilots in the making.
Get involved.
Our events bring together the Williamsburg aviation community and raise the funds that send the next class of scholars into the cockpit.
Annual WASP Golf Tournament
Now in its 10th year, the WASP Golf Tournament returns to Kingsmill Resort — home of the LPGA Pure Silk Championship — on Saturday, June 20, 2026 with an 8:30 AM shotgun start for a day of golf, fellowship, and direct support for our scholars.
- LPGA Championship course
- Prizes & helicopter ball drop
- Meet WASP students in person
- Hot lunch at Burwell Ballroom
- Awards & networking reception
WASP Fall Gala
An evening of celebration honoring our students, mentors, and the donors who make WASP possible. Stories from the cockpit, live music, and a community united by aviation.
Volunteer & Mentor
Whether you're a CFI, a former scholar, or simply someone who loves aviation, there's a place for you in WASP. Help run events, mentor a scholar, or share your career story.
Every dollar puts a student closer to the sky.
WASP is community-funded. Donations cover flight training, ground school, and checkrides so our students can focus on earning their wings — not on how to pay for them.
One Flight Hour
Covers a single hour of dual-instruction flight time for a WASP scholar — the building block of every pilot's training.
Ground School
Funds a scholar's complete FAA ground school curriculum — everything from aerodynamics and weather to navigation and flight planning.
Scholarship
Sponsors one student through the entire program: ground school, flight training, exams, and their FAA Private Pilot checkride.
Williamsburg Aviation Scholarship Program is a 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Tax ID: 46-4254510.
Ready to earn your wings?
WASP supports aspiring pilots with ground school, flight training, mentorship, and a path to their FAA checkride. No prior flight experience required — just curiosity and commitment.
Who should apply
- Virginia resident attending a Virginia high school (including home school) in the Tidewater area
- Will turn 16 years old no later than June 1 of the program year
- Cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Able to commit to ground school and weekly flight lessons over the 12-month program
- Full support and involvement from a parent or guardian
What to prepare
- High school transcriptA scan of your current transcript. An unofficial review copy from your school is acceptable.
- Two recommendation lettersFrom non-family members such as teachers, counselors, or coaches — up to 500 words each.
- Candidate essay (~500 words)What this scholarship would mean to you and how it would influence the pursuit of your goals.
- Short written responsesYour motivation to fly, interest in an aviation career, any flying experience, and your plan for balancing the time commitment.
- Parent or guardian informationName, contact details, consent, and household income range (used only by the WASP Board of Directors for selection).
- Optional: logbook pagesIf you already have any flight experience, you can upload pages from your pilot logbook.
Program timeline
Start your application
The application includes short essays and document uploads, so have your transcript and recommendation letters ready before you start. You can save your progress and come back later using the same Google account.
Opens in a new tab via Google Forms
Proudly supported by.
Tuck McAtee
“A decorated combat pilot, test pilot, and the driving force behind WASP's founding, Tuck believed deeply in the future of aviation and the young people who would carry it forward. His legacy lives on in every student who earns their wings.”