Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) announced new legislation Thursday aimed at expanding access to aviation education and later honored military-bound high school graduates during a community event in Elizabeth City.
H.R. 3530, the Flight Education Access Act, was introduced during a press conference at Davis’ district office. Co-led by Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA), the bill seeks to raise federal student loan limits for students enrolled in undergraduate flight training programs, such as those offered at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU).
The proposed bill would raise the amount students can borrow in federal loans for flight training programs. Dependent students could borrow up to $111,000, and independent students up to $137,500. It also increases the limit for certain other federal loans to $65,000. The bill would also require the Department of Education to track and report how many students finish these aviation programs each year.
“By raising student loan limits for our aspiring pilots, we are taking one step towards meeting our nation’s aerospace workforce needs and providing opportunities for the next generation across eastern North Carolina and our nation,” said Congressman Davis. “We must do everything we can to create a brighter future for our aviation students, no matter their zip code or crossroad.”
The announcement preceded the Our Community Salutes (OCS) event, a program that honors and supports high school graduates enlisting in the U.S. military, as well as their families, as they transition from civilian to military life. Since 2009, OCS has held more than 300 ceremonies across 70 communities in 25 states, honoring over 3,100 new enlistees in 2024 alone. The program also provides financial literacy training and educational pathways for enlistees.
This year marked the launch of an Our Community Salutes ceremony for the Northeast North Carolina region, hosted in partnership with Congressman Davis and ECSU. The event drew attendees from across the region, including Raleigh and Norfolk.
ECSU’s Aviation Science Program, the only four-year collegiate aviation education program in North Carolina, served as the venue for both the press conference and ceremony. The program offers specialized degrees in Aviation Management, Avionics, Flight Education, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and Professional Aeronautics, preparing students for careers in aerospace and aviation industries. Despite growing enrollment, ECSU’s aviation program faces a funding deficit of approximately $18,000 per student. The university currently uses carry-forward funds to purchase equipment, but additional recurring funding is needed to sustain the program and expand student support.
Congressman Davis, a former assistant professor of Aerospace Studies at East Carolina University’s Air Force ROTC, has long been an advocate for aviation and military education programs. At a previous ECSU Aviation Sciences Building groundbreaking, he emphasized the importance of these programs for the region and the nation.
The press conference and OCS ceremony highlighted the region’s commitment to supporting military families and expanding educational pathways in aviation and aerospace.
Congressman Don Davis serves as the vice ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and sits on the Subcommittees on Tactical Air and Land Forces and Readiness. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1994 and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
