Story ID: 531NBAA
Texas FBO Helps Give SEALs Wings
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Through its donations to the Navy SEAL Foundation, American Aero FTW is helping military personnel towards aviation careers after their service is done.
Word Count: 234
Texas FBO American Aero FTW (exhibiting at Signature Booth 1600) has continued its annual tradition of charitable donations to the Navy SEAL Foundation, recently presenting a check in the amount of $25,653 to the organization that supports all active-duty Naval Special Warfare personnel, including the elite SEALs, and their families stationed around the world. In the six years the company has supported the charity through its Red, White and Blue program—which matches donations made by its customers and vendors—it has donated more than $100,000.

Those contributions have allowed the foundation to launch a new scholarship program, which enables active–duty and retired personnel to pursue pilot certification. This year, the scholarships were used to achieve FAA rotary-wing pilot commercial add-on, rotorcraft-helicopter private pilot, and commercial pilot aviation instrument ratings, helping to fill a gap in funding from the GI Bill.

“We are honored to support those who envision their careers in aviation, and have served this country at the highest level,” said American Aero founder Robert Bass.

Foundation CEO Robin King noted that interest in pilot training among her constituents continues to grow in relation to a hot aviation job market. “This scholarship, in particular, helps prepare former Navy SEALs to move into new careers as civilian pilots,” she said. “American Aero FTW and its customers are making a significant contribution, and we are grateful.”
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