Nancy Farrar
American Aero, Fort Worth's Meacham Airport
American Aero, the fixed-based operator at Fort Worth’s Meacham Airport founded by the investor Robert Bass, said it has surpassed $133,000 in gifts to a scholarship fund it set up at the Navy SEAL Foundation to help retiring servicemen and women become pilots.
This year’s gift of $17,497 continues to support the growing numbers of servicemen and women who are coming off of active duty after having entered the military after the 9-11 attacks, the foundation and American Aero said.
“It is a privilege to create new opportunities for those who so honorably and courageously serve our country, particularly those who enlisted after the events of 9/11 and have put their lives on the line for nearly two decades,” Bass said in a release. “With this scholarship fund, the American Aero team expresses its gratitude to those heroes as they consider what they would like to do next and welcomes them to join us in our love of private aviation.”
American Aero began supporting the foundation in 2013. Nearly 200 Naval Special Warfare operators come off active duty annually, the foundation and American Aero said. The company’s scholarship fund “continues to provide new opportunities for these warriors as they move from active-duty military service to life in the civilian sector,” the foundation and company said.
American Aero’s gifts have facilitated flight training and licensure. to recipients who want to advance themselves as pilots, either for jobs or personal reasons.
“The scholarship has made a tremendous impact in the lives of these warriors, covering related expenses for Commercial Pilot Aviation Instrumental Rating, Rotorcraft-Helicopter Private Pilot, and FAA Rotary Wing Pilot Add-on certifications, along with other needed training and flight simulation costs,” the foundation and company said.
In 2020, the foundation provided $1.8 million in scholarships to qualified applicants, including four SEALs who received scholarships generated by American Aero FTW and gifts from its clients, the foundation and company said.
“For many of our SEALs, the operational tempo of back-to-back combat deployments paired with extensive training has meant they could not invest the time to pursue a degree, licensure, or certification,” Robin King, CEO of the foundation, said in the release. “Because of the support of American Aero FTW, SEALs seeking assistance for flight training or pilot’s licensure can rest easy knowing NSF is here to help.”
The foundation, a 501©3 nonprofit, provides programs designed to improve health and welfare, build and enhance resiliency, empower and educate families, and provide critical support during illness, injury or loss. The foundation has been awarded Charity Navigator’s 4-Star rating since 2011 and has earned a perfect score of "100" each year since 2016 for financial health, accountability, and transparency, placing it in the top 1% of rated charities. Ninety-four cents of every dollar donated goes directly to programs or is retained for future mission use.