The Flying Musicians Association (FMA) will celebrate a decade at AirVenture’s 50th anniversary in Oshkosh, WI July 22-28, 2019.
Pilot/Musicians will celebrate this milestone along with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon and the EAA’s (Experimental Aircraft Association) half-century in Oshkosh, WI.
The idea for the association came to co-founders Aileen Hummel and John Zapp during a trip to AirVenture in 2008, and 2009 saw the formation and kick-off event – Fly-In MusicFest at Spinks Airport in Ft Worth, Texas. After a decade of providing inspiration, education, encouragement and assistance, the FMA has grown to over 700 members world.
John Zapp, FMA President/CEO, recalls, “FMA was embraced by the aviation community from day one. AOPA was our first corporate member. At their request, we developed a corporate membership.” Almost immediately, “The music community came on board. We were selected to be a NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation partner, affording us unfettered access to music merchants across the globe. Now you will see FMA representatives at both The NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA and Summer NAMM in Nashville.”
Since the creation of the FMA Solo Program five years ago, FMA has awarded eleven learn-to-fly scholarships to outstanding student musicians across the USA and Canada. “We’ve had nine recipients solo, and there’s more student members following suit. These students are the best of the best academically and musically while also being exceptional citizens. Their influence on underclassmen now will no doubt leave a positive and lasting influence on the aviation and music communities. FMA student members are our future leaders.”
The 2020 FMA Solo program kicks off in the fall.
This scholarship is unique, bringing an aspiring music student from zero time to solo. FMA covers roughly fifteen hours of dual instruction, online ground school, training materials, and additional products from sponsors. FMA envisioned and instituted this scholarship program because it recognizes the parallel skills involved in flying and performing music and wants to promote both areas of growth in our inspired and dedicated future leaders.
FMA Solo Scholarships depend on sponsorship from the aviation and music communities — and you! Please contact Education@FlyingMusicians.org.
“Flying and music are my two passions in life and the Flying Musicians have put both of those together for a great cause. I believe educating the next generation is so important for music and aviation to continue on.” – Aaron Tippin
“My wife and I want to help where we can and so we decided to sponsor an FMA scholarship ourselves through the Auen O’Shea Family Fund. Music and aviation are deeply rooted in our family and combining the two through FMA is a worthwhile endeavor. We encourage others to do the same. Visit the FMA website and get inspired yourself, or better yet meet one or more of these impressive young adults. Consider sponsoring a scholarship. It won’t break the bank, and it provides a valuable boost for deserving applicants.”- Jeff Auen
Our sponsors are doing their part. Thank them. Join them.
Bose Aviation, Sporty’s Pilot Shop, MYGOFLIGHT, Gleim Aviation, Hartzell Propeller, Daher TBM, Honda, ForeFlight, Sensenich Propeller, Auen O’Shea Family Fund, FMA Denny Scalise Memorial Fund, and many others. FMA also acknowledges Trade-A-Plane, AviNation, GA News, Aaron Tippin, and 121five.com for their extensive help in raising awareness of the FMA programs.
