Scholarships
Each year the Cape Area Pilots Association (CAPA) presents scholarships to regional applicants studying for careers in aviation. CAPA is dedicated to the promotion of flight safety, increasing the local interest in aviation, and fostering the growth of those individuals interested in the vast field of aviation careers. These careers in include piloting, maintenance, air traffic control, aerodynamics aviation operation specialists, airport management, flight standards specialists, and the related aviation sciences. CAPA encourages these young people through our scholarship program.
The Red Beach Memorial Scholarship was developed to honor Red Beach a well-loved Chatham flight instructor, killed in a tragic aviation accident. The generosity of CAPA members supports this award through their donations. This year CAPA has donated funding to provide for two awards of $3,000 each.
The Charles Baxter Memorial Scholarship was donated by “Bob’s” wife Rosemarie Baxter in his memory. This scholarship is valued at $3,000. “Bob” started his love of aviation as a child. Ultimately, he became a flight test engineer for Northrop Grumman. Upon his retirement to Cape Cod he became a member of CAPA.
The John Garabedian Scholarship is named for and donated by our current CAPA president John Garabedian. The scholarship is valued at $3,000. John has always been an avid aviation enthusiast. Besides being president of CAPA he serves on the board of The Aero Club of New England. He owns more than 8 aircraft. He is also very active in the Massachusetts Air and Space Museum.
Red Beach
The Cape Area Pilots Association awards four scholarships at the June 7, 2023 Meeting
Scholarship Chair Jeff Bauer presented four aviation students with a $3,000 scholarship. Below are short bios of the very deserving recipients. Congrats!
Renna Kingsbury: From Marstons Mills. Ms. Kingsbury will be graduating Barnstable High School this June. She will be attending the Flight training program at Bridgewater State University in the fall. While at Bridgewater she is planning to achieve a bachelors Degree in Aviation Science, and minor in Japanese. Upon Completion at Bridgewater she is hoping to enter the JetBlue Gateway program ultimately flying for JetBlue or Japan Airlines.
Bryce Mahan: From Marstons Mills. Bryce graduated High School at 17years old. After working full time, and touring the Cape Air Maintenance facility Bryce realized his desired path was to become an aviation mechanic. He has recently visited the Cape Cod Community College Maintenance School. While there he decided to train at that facility to achieve his license. Bryce will be attending there in the fall of 2023 while continuing to work part time. He is hoping to work for Cape Air upon graduation from the program at Cape Cod Community College.
Michael Corrara: Is from Pocasset. He has graduated Bourne High School and currently attends Bridgewater State University’s flight training program where he is a freshman. He is an Eagle Scout. After he achieves a Bachelors Degree in aviation science from Bridgewater State he is hoping to become a flight instructor to build hours towards becoming and airline pilot.
Sophia Schiappa: From Bridgewater. Sophia graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School as well as Bridgewater State University. She is planning on attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the fall. She has worked for Cape Air at Logan as Station Operations Coordinator. She is currently Station Supervisor at Logan. Sophia is currently training as a intern with Massachusetts Port Authority Operations Department. Her goal is to help run operations at Logan International Airport.
The students that have received these scholarships, and I, would like to thank the private donors and the entire membership of CAPA for their continued support of our Aviation Scholarship Program. You are the ones that want to share your love of aviation by helping to support the dreams of others.
Colin Fravel - 2022 Scholarship Winner
2023 Scholarship winners Renna Kingsbury, Sophia Schiappa, Michael Carrera, and Bryce Mahan with Dr. Jeff Bauer (center)
Michael Carrara - 2022 Scholarship Winner
Jill Aaltonen - 2022 Scholarship Winner
Scholarship Applications and Donations
Scholarship fund chairman Dr. Jeff Bauer and his committee will be reviewing candidates for next year's awards, which will be presented at the June 2024 CAPA meeting. If you are a high school student or know any candidates who are pursuing an aviation career and would like to apply, you should download the application form and instructions by clicking HERE.. If you have any questions you may contact Jeff at scholarships@capepilot.com.
To make tax-deductible contributions or donations to our Red Beach Scholarship Fund please make check payable to CAPA and mail to:
Cape Area Pilots Association • PO Box 3005 • Waquoit • MA • 02536-3005
Previous Scholarship Winner Kyle Ouellette