The Lyons Aviation Foundation Announces the 2026 Scholarship Recipients
April 25, 2026 — The Lyons Aviation Foundation is proud to announce the 2026 aviation scholarship recipients. The foundation awarded a total of 5 scholarships this year!
Tyler Braitling, 17 — Jeffersonville, IN
Awarded $3,000 scholarship
With more than 40 flight hours and a successful solo flight already completed, Tyler has demonstrated exceptional dedication to aviation at a young age. A top academic performer and Air Force JROTC leader, he plans to pursue the U.S. Air Force Academy and ultimately a career as a professional pilot.
Destiny Watford, 18 — Arlington, TX
Awarded $2,500 scholarship
Destiny is actively working toward her Private Pilot License while balancing rigorous academics and hands-on fundraising to support her training. Her determination, resilience, and commitment to creating opportunities for herself and others reflect her vision of a future in commercial aviation and service.
Miller Watkins, 17 — Conyers, GA
Awarded $1,500 scholarship
Miller’s passion for aviation was sparked through discovery flights and strengthened through participation in the OBAP Academy. A committed student-athlete and community leader, he aims to become a professional pilot while inspiring greater diversity and opportunity within the aviation industry.
Mia Green, 16 — Valparaiso, IN
Awarded $1,500 scholarship
A dedicated Civil Air Patrol cadet and Aerospace Education Officer, Mia combines leadership with a passion for aviation education. With flight training already underway, she is building a strong foundation to pursue a professional aviation career while continuing to serve and mentor others.
Corbin Schleicher, 16 — Mitchell, NE
Awarded $1,500 scholarship
Growing up in a rural community, Corbin understands the critical role aviation plays in connecting and supporting underserved areas. With hands-on airport experience and plans to begin flight training, he is focused on building a future in aviation that emphasizes service, reliability, and community impact.
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The Lyons Aviation Foundation Scholarship Program
Please consider a donation to help support our Scholarship program!
Opportunity is not divided equally, even if luck and talent and hard work might be.
We are a private foundation that awards a yearly aviation scholarship to financially support a deserving young person pursuing their Private Pilot Certificate.
There is a common saying that talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. We are offering opportunity when there might not be one through our aviation scholarship program.
Our goal, through the scholarship, is to help give opportunity to those that might not otherwise have the means to pursue aviation as a career path.
“A Helping Hand on the Road to Wings”
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We are a private foundation dedicated to helping aspiring pilots seeking a private pilots certificate. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and your donation is fully tax deductible.
The Lyons Aviation Foundation
The Lyons Aviation Foundation is dedicated to providing a yearly aviation scholarship to financially support a deserving young person pursuing their Private Pilot Certificate. The Lyons family has been around and maintained a life related to aviation for a long time. Our aviation story started with our father, Rolf C. Lyons, when he entered military service at the age of 17, enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1955. In 1958 Rolf earned his Enlisted Aircrew Member wings as an airborne radar operator, amassing over 2000 flying hours aboard RC-121 “Super Constellation” aircraft, before moving on to specialize in navigation and communications electronics. Since that time, the Lyons family has been linked to aviation in one form or another for over 65 years. This foundation is born out of our sense to give back. It’s created through the loving and caring nature instilled in our family by our parents. It’s created to help give opportunity to those that might not otherwise have the means to pursue aviation as a career path. This foundation is about our family story and its ties to aviation, military service, and one another. As a family we have been blessed, and truly believe in helping and giving to others. The Lyons Aviation Foundation’s hope is to inspire, assist, and to provide opportunity through our scholarship program. Your donations are appreciated to help achieve these goals.
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2026 Scholarship Recipients
The Lyons Aviation Foundation Announces the 2026 Scholarship Recipients
April 25, 2026 — The Lyons Aviation Foundation is proud to announce the 2026 aviation scholarship recipients. The foundation awarded a total of 5 scholarships this year!
Tyler Braitling, 17 — Jeffersonville, IN
Awarded $3,000 scholarship
With more than 40 flight hours and a successful solo flight already completed, Tyler has demonstrated exceptional dedication to aviation at a young age. A top academic performer and Air Force JROTC leader, he plans to pursue the U.S. Air Force Academy and ultimately a career as a professional pilot.
Destiny Watford, 18 — Arlington, TX
Awarded $2,500 scholarship
Destiny is actively working toward her Private Pilot License while balancing rigorous academics and hands-on fundraising to support her training. Her determination, resilience, and commitment to creating opportunities for herself and others reflect her vision of a future in commercial aviation and service.
Miller Watkins, 17 — Conyers, GA
Awarded $1,500 scholarship
Miller’s passion for aviation was sparked through discovery flights and strengthened through participation in the OBAP Academy. A committed student-athlete and community leader, he aims to become a professional pilot while inspiring greater diversity and opportunity within the aviation industry.
Mia Green, 16 — Valparaiso, IN
Awarded $1,500 scholarship
A dedicated Civil Air Patrol cadet and Aerospace Education Officer, Mia combines leadership with a passion for aviation education. With flight training already underway, she is building a strong foundation to pursue a professional aviation career while continuing to serve and mentor others.
Corbin Schleicher, 16 — Mitchell, NE
Awarded $1,500 scholarship
Growing up in a rural community, Corbin understands the critical role aviation plays in connecting and supporting underserved areas. With hands-on airport experience and plans to begin flight training, he is focused on building a future in aviation that emphasizes service, reliability, and community impact.
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