Flight Path Museum & Learning Center Scholarships

The Flight Path Museum & Learning Center is happy to be able to offer yearly scholarships for Southern California residents who wish to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace.

• Applicants can apply for more than one scholarship.
• For more information on these scholarships, please consult the scholarship descriptions below.
• Scholarship recipients from previous years are eligible to reapply.
• Applicants can apply for more than one scholarship.

Anton Acherman Scholarship

The Anton Acherman Scholarship Program was created in memory of the 52-year Westchester resident and retired mechanical engineer. Mr. Acherman led a fascinating career in aerospace including working on the Atlas-Centaur rocket; the water system for Skylab, America’s first space station; and test equipment for the Space Simulation Laboratory at Boeing Satellite Systems. The scholarship is funded by family, friends, neighbors and local businesses.

Scholarship Award:

A $500 scholarship will be presented to the most qualified applicant. The award may be used for payment of tuition, books, fees, pilot ground and flight training and other educational expenses.

The award of $500 will be sent directly to recipient’s choice of educational institution (i.e., community college, four year college, university, technical school, etc.).

Captain Rex May Scholarship

The Captain Rex May Scholarship Program is funded by his loving wife and Flight Path volunteer Linda May, and administered by the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center, to encourage students to pursue careers in the cockpit of a plane. Captain Rex May started his flight career as a Marine Aviator, after the Marines he was hired by United Airlines starting on a DC-6, then retired flying the 747-400 after 36 years. During his United career, he also served as a Flight Instructor helping others improve their flight skills and start their careers at United This was further reinforced by his active membership in the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). In volunteering at the Flight Path, his wife, Linda had the opportunity to talk to teenagers considering a future career as a pilot. Through this scholarship, she intends to help them realize their dreams.

Scholarship Award:

A $5000 scholarship will be presented to the most qualified applicant. The award may be used for payment of tuition, books, fees, pilot ground and flight training and other educational expenses. This scholarship is reserved for students pursuing a career as a commercial pilot. Please include any information that would help the scholarship committee determine eligibility, logs, school intentions, recommendations, etc.

Charles “Pete” Conrad, Jr. Scholarship

The Charles “Pete” Conrad, Jr., Scholarship Program, is sponsored by the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center to encourage students to enter the field of aviation, aerospace or aeronautics. The scholarship is named in honor of Pete Conrad, NASA astronaut, commander of Apollo 12, and the third man to walk on the moon.

Scholarship Requirements:

A $2000 scholarship will be presented to the most qualified applicant. The award may be used for payment of tuition, books, fees and other educational expenses.

The award of $2000 will be sent directly to recipient’s choice of educational institution (i.e., community college, four year college, university, technical school, etc.).

Howard Drollinger Scholarship

The Howard Drollinger Scholarship Program is funded by his loving family and administered by the Flight Path Museum & Learning Center to encourage students to pursue careers in aviation. As a World War II Army Air Corps navigator serving in the 15th Army Air Force, Howard Drollinger flew 50 successful combat missions over Italy and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, four air medals, and a Presidential Unit Citation. A proud University of Southern California (USC) graduate, he became a real estate developer in Westchester, a fledgling community just north of what would become Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). He was a cornerstone of the community and provided financial support to a variety of local organizations including Flight Path Museum & Learning Center. Mr. Drollinger received the first Honorary Service Award from the Flight Path Museum. .

Scholarship Award:

A $3,000 scholarship will be presented to the most qualified applicant. The award may be used for payment of tuition, books, fees, pilot ground and flight training and other educational expenses.

The award of $3,000 will be sent directly to recipient’s choice of educational institution (i.e., community college, four year college, university, technical school, etc.).

Morrey Plotkin Scholarship

The Morrey Plotkin Scholarship Program is funded by his loving family and administered by the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center to encourage students to pursue careers in aviation.  Morrey Plotkin was the Founder of the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center and a lifelong supporter of volunteerism and community organizations.  During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps and retired with the rank of major. He earned his commercial pilot’s license while working for the Civil Aeronautics Authority, precursor of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and developed a lifelong love of aviation.  He spent much of his professional career on the corporate staff of the Northrop Corporation, where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions.

Scholarship Award:

A $5000 scholarship will be presented to the most qualified applicant. The award may be used for payment of tuition, books, fees, pilot ground and flight training and other educational expenses.

The award of $5000 will be sent directly to recipient’s choice of educational institution (i.e., community college, four year college, university, technical school, etc.).