2026 Fran Bera Scholarship. Beloved member of the San Diego Ninety-Nines. Fran Bera was a legendary aviator, air racer, instructor, and aviation pioneer.
Application Deadline: December 7, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
Thank you for your interest in the Fran Bera Private Pilot Scholarship, presented by the San Diego Chapter of the Ninety-Nines. Please complete all sections carefully and thoroughly. If you have any questions, please contact our Scholarship Committee at: scholarships@sandiego99s.com. We wish you the best of luck on your aviation journey!
Personal Information
Name
*
First Name
Last Name
Email
*
example@example.com
Mobile Phone Number
*
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Mailing Address
*
Age
*
Highest Level of Education Completed
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Please Select
High School
GED
Bachelor's
Master's
PhD
Other
Name of School/Educational Institution
*
If you selected 'Other,' please specify your highest level of education completed.
99s Continuous Membership Date
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-
Month
-
Day
Year
2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year
Date
99s Chapter & Section
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Chapter
Section
Initial Pilot Certificate Sought
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e.g. Private, Sport, Recreational
Category of Aircraft
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Please Select
Airplane
Helicopter
Glider
Balloon
Scholarship Funding & Distribution Schedule
Initial Disbursement: $2,000 upon award of the scholarship
Passed the FAA Knowledge Test?
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Yes
No - Milestone Value $1,000
If yes, upload a copy of your Knowledge Test Results.
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Have you flown your First Solo Flight?
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Yes
No - Milestone Value $3,500
If yes, please upload a copy of your Solo Flight Endorsement.
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Have you flown your Solo Long-Cross Country?
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Yes
No - Milestone Value $3,500
If yes, please upload a copy of your Solo Cross-Country Flight endorsement.
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Successfully obtain your FAA Private Pilot Certificate?
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No - Milestone Value $2,000
If you have already completed any of the milestones listed above, please enter the total corresponding scholarship amount.
Aviation Background
Total Flight Hours
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Hours Flown in Last 6 Months
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Medical
*
Do you own an aircraft? If so, what percentage of ownership?
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Please include the aircraft type and % of ownership. If you do not own an aircraft, please type N/A
If you own an aircraft, do you intend to use it for your flight training? If not, please explain why?
Employment History
Present Position & Employer
*
Date of Hire
*
-
Month
-
Day
Year
2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year
Date
Summary of Employment Over the Last Five (5) Years
*
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Multi-Media or Written Submission
Please upload your video, presentation, or written essay in accordance with the submission guidelines provided.
Multi-Media Essay
*
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Prefer: .pdf, .docx, .pptx, .mp4
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Supporting Documentation
Please upload clear, legible copies of all applicable supporting documents as outlined in the scholarship application requirements.
Student Pilot Certificate
*
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Medical Certificate
*
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Drivers License (or other form of government-issued photo ID)
*
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Pilot Logbook: Please upload legible copies of your logbook entries documenting your 20 most recent flights. If you have logged fewer than 20 flights, please submit all entries.
*
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(Both left + right sides of logbook page are required)
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Letters of Recommendation
Please submit two (2) letters of recommendation, each limited to one page. Letters must be written by two (2) different individuals who are not family members or significant others of the applicant.
Letter of Recommendation 1
*
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Letter of Recommendation 2
*
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99s Mentor Agreement
To support your journey to earning your Private Pilot Certificate, you are required to identify a mentor who is willing to provide guidance, encouragement and support throughout your flight training. Your mentor should be available for periodic check-ins to discuss progress, answer questions and help you navigate any challenges along the way.
99s Mentor Agreement
*
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The 99s Mentor Agreement can be found in the instructions PDF (page 13).
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Applicant Certification and Acknowledgement
By signing below, I certify that all information provided in this scholarship application, including supporting documentation, is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge.
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I meet all eligibility requirements for the Fran Bera Scholarship.
I have read and understand the scholarship instructions as stated in the document and on the website.
I certify that my application is true, accurate, and complete.
I understand that any misrepresentation, concealment, or omission of required information may result in disqualification from consideration or revocation of the scholarship award.
I further certify that, if selected as a recipient of the Fran Bera Scholarship, I will comply with the following requirements and obligations:
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Use the scholarship funds exclusively for the flight training expenses and purposes specified in my application and authorized under the terms of the scholarship.
Begin, resume, or continue flight training within 30 days of notification of the scholarship award and complete the required training within 12 months of the award date.
Keep my designated Ninety-Nines mentor informed of my flight training progress on a regular basis, including the completion of key milestones.
Maintain compliance with all scholarship eligibility requirements throughout the award period.
Promptly notify the San Diego Chapter of the Ninety-Nines of all training milestone achievements and any changes to my contact information throughout the scholarship award period or until I earn my private pilot certificate, whichever occurs first.
Applicant Signature
*
Scholarship Award Conditions, Selection Process & Disclaimers
I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the following scholarship terms, conditions and disclaimers.
*
The scholarship recipient has twelve (12) months from the award date to complete the required training milestones and utilize the scholarship funds, subject to any approved extension.
Applicants may receive no more than one (1) San Diego Ninety-Nines scholarship toward the same certificate or rating per fiscal year, and no more than two (2) Chapter scholarships in total per fiscal year. The fiscal year runs from June 1 through May 31.
Scholarship funds may be used exclusively for FAA knowledge test fees, aircraft rental, flight instruction, and practical test (checkride) fees directly associated with obtaining the FAA Private Pilot Certificate. Funds may not be used for flying club fees/memberships, ground school fees, books, or other pilot supplies.
Scholarship Judging & Selection Process: The San Diego Chapter of The Ninety-Nines Scholarship Committee reviews all applications to verify eligibility and completeness but does not score or rank applicants. Eligible applications are evaluated by an independent panel of judges consisting of experienced pilots and members of the aviation community with diverse backgrounds and expertise. The scholarship recipient is selected based on the panel's evaluations and rankings.
Disclaimer: Neither the San Diego Chapter of the Ninety-Nines Inc, the Southwest Section of the Ninety-Nines Inc., or the Ninety-Nines Inc. International, nor their members, agents or representatives (hereafter “99s”) are responsible for the quality of any training received with this scholarship, or for any accident, incident or any other event which may occur while the recipient of said award is performing flight training or activities relating thereto (hereafter “Flight Training”). The undersigned, on behalf of herself, her successors and assignees, hereby releases the 99s of any and all liability arising from or related to the Flight Training, and agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the 99s harmless from any loss that may occur as a result of or relating to Flight Training.
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