ACP452 Cleared for Takeoff! IHart Flying. Supporting Women In Flight.

I Hart flying scholarships have been in our scholarships guide since their inception. Don’t forget through the generous support of our listeners and sponsors you can get a scholarship guide for free by visiting https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/free/.

Rachelle from I Hart is joining us today to announce a new initiative to support women in flight. As many of you know a member of our team, Leslie Caubble is a recipient of a scholarship helping her to move forward in her career in aviation.

Talking Points:

Rachelle and how she developed her passion for aviation

Why she started https://www.ihartflying.org/

Organizational Focus & Industry Positioning

Strengthening the Aviation workforce pipeline through a structured model supporting Women in Flight
Positioning IHFF as a workforce pipeline solution, not just a scholarship organization
Approaching our 10-year milestone and scaling national impact

HART-LED: Cleared for Takeoff Campaign

Launch of our new multi-year initiative: HART-LED: Cleared for Takeoff
Focused on ensuring Access, Advancement, and Completion throughout Flight Training
A structured, measurable approach to long-term workforce development in Aviation

The Core Industry Challenge

The real challenge in Aviation is not capability, it is continuity
Financial gaps between certifications are the primary barrier to progression
Why many aspiring pilots start training but do not complete it

The HART-LED: Approach

A three-phase model: Access • Advancement • Completion
Focused on eliminating funding gaps and maintaining momentum
Creating a clear pathway from first flight to career readiness

2026 Scholarship Series

Introduction of a two-part scholarship series aligned with different stages of training

First Series: Access Granted — Runway to Rise (Launching April 21)

Focused on the earliest stage of Flight Training where Access is the greatest barrier
Designed to power a scholar’s first step into Aviation and build early momentum
Removing financial barriers that often interrupt progress at the start of training
Establishing the foundation for continued Advancement and Completion

Broader Industry Impact

Supporting the full Aviation ecosystem beyond pilots
Strengthening workforce development across operations, maintenance, and leadership pipelines
Reinforcing that when Women advance, Aviation leads

Role of Industry Partnerships

Partners play a critical role in supporting Access, Advancement, and Completion
Engagement extends beyond funding into visibility, mentorship, and alignment
Creating connection between industry leaders and the next generation of Aviation professionals

Links:

https://www.ihartflying.org

Scholarships, Mentorship, and Interview Preparation:

https://ValeriAviation.com

Mentorship:

https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching

Use the coupon code “CoachItForward” for the first month free.

One-On-One Coaching:

https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching

Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching.

Scholarships Guide:

https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/scholarships/