Article by Meg Godlewski of Flying Magazine originally appeared on the Flying Magazine website on July 25, 2025 To view the original article Click Here.
Longtime aviation educators John and Martha King continue their support for future pilots.
![Flight instructor and student operate inside a small Piper aircraft. [Credit: Adobe Stock]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AdobeStock_139858404-1-scaled-1.jpeg)
Key Takeaways:
John and Martha King have been teaching the world to fly for more than 50 years. Over the past decade, King Schools has been actively supporting deserving pilots through its scholarship program.
Thomas Sando from the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and Jodie Gawthrop of Women in Aviation International (WAI) received lifetime access to the entire King Schools course library along with $5,000 in cash. Each award is valued at over $20,000.
- READ MORE: NAFI and King Schools Create Scholarship for Aspiring Flight Instructor
- READ MORE: King Schools Marks 50 Years of Flight Training
The Kings have been teaching aviation for decades. First it was face to face, then on videotape, and eventually via the internet. King Schools’ programs are often described as informative and easy to watch as the combination of graphics and face time with subject matter experts makes the information jump off the screen.
![King Schools scholarship winner Thomas Sando [Credit: King Schools]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Thomas-e1784899973532.jpeg?w=576)
More Scholarships on the Way
Scholarships are a year-round event for King Schools.The application window is open for the WAI Martha King Scholarship for Female Flight Instructors. The deadline for applications is September 1. The winner will be honored at the 2027 WAI Conference on Feb. 25-27 in Savannah, Georgia.
More information can be found here.
“Awarding these scholarships has been a rewarding and enjoyable experience for John, me, and all King Schools employees,” said Martha King. “Many of the winners have stayed in frequent contact with us, and we have visited with each other quite often. Getting to know these very motivated and achieving pilots has been a great pleasure for us.”
![King Schools scholarship winner Jodie Gawthrop [Credit: King Schools]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Jodie-e1784900085949.jpeg?w=854)
Applications for the King Schools NAFI Scholarship are also now being accepted. The deadline is January 6. The NAFI scholarship winner will be honored at the 2027 Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo on April 6-11 in Lakeland, Florida.
More information can be found here.
“Judging by the quality of our applicants every year, I believe the future of aviation is in very good hands,” said John King. “We are pleased to be able to contribute something that helps these aspiring aviators reach their dreams, and every single one of our scholarship recipients is certain to make a positive difference in this community we love being a part of.”
