Become a Member
“Breaking down the barriers to aviation”
Flight Club 502 is a leadership development program that uses lessons in aviation to develop STEM, entrepreneurship (decision making), leadership skills and patriotism. Members can also learn how to fly! Because we are a youth nonprofit, we are able to learn to fly at a reduced price. Membership gives you the opportunity to:
- Learn to maintain the airplanes and club facilities
- Serve on committees, i.e. Budgeting, Marketing, Raffle, Operations, and many more
- Participate in club outreach and all Flight Club 502 activities
- Make full use of the facilities
Youth Ground Crew/Committee Member
Becoming a member is easy! All you need to do is:
- Complete the New Members Class (held monthly: check for the next available class). Every member must attend this class but it does not mean you have to fly. Once you are a member you can attend our social events.
- Membership recommended contribution is $300, but needs-based scholarships and our “Pathway to Progress” program are available. Contact scholarships@flightclub502.org
Members can then attend Ground School every Saturday, participate in committee work, or just hang out. Membership also includes a flight club t-shirt, Sporty’s online training (valued at $350/year), Redbird sim training, and more.
New Member Class
12:00pm - 4:00pmGround School
This class covers requirements for private pilot certificate, aircraft components, basic aerodynamics, flight organizations, jobs in aviation, aircraft systems: aircraft engines, flight instruments, flight controls, use of checklists, taxi procedures, fundamentals of flight (climbs, descents, straight and level and turns), aeromedical factors and aeronautical decision-making.
*PLEASE NOTE: due to high demand for flight training, new members can expect a delay before being able to fly.
Youth Flight Crew Member
For members who wish to fly, there are additional fees and requirements. If you fly over 5 hours a year at Flight Club 502 you are considered a Flying member. Flying members are charged a $150 annual fee after their first year.
Flying Membership Payment Requirements
Members are charged for operating cost/hr with a credit card on file
- Diamond DA20- $110/hr
- Piper PA28 180- $125/hr
Members pay flight instructors directly for ground and flight instruction
- Advance Ground Instructor (AGI) – $30
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) – $40
- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)- $45
Stage 1: Weekly Sporty's Ground School
Flight Club hosts a FREE weekly ground school class every Saturday from 10:30am – 12pm, in the large upstairs classroom. Attending is recommended prior to enrolling in Ground and Simulator Training and is a great introduction to aviation and learning.
Stage 2: Sign up for a Young Eagle Flight
After the new member class, any member age 8-17 can request a FREE 30 minute Young Eagle Flight. A Young Eagle Pilot will reach out and schedule your flight, the youth member and parent will meet the pilot at the airport and fill out a waiver, then the youth and pilot will conduct a preflight of the airplane and takeoff!
After the flight the student will receive a Young Eagle Logbook with a code on the back. Go to EAA.org and sign up, input your code for over $600 in free online flight training resources including the Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course.
Stage 3: Advanced Ground Instruction Program
Once you’ve completed our New Member Course, we offer a Ground School class every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. We follow the Sporty’s syllabus and operate on a 20-week rotation. All members are welcome to attend each Saturday session. Please check the calendar in case a class is canceled due to a holiday. These sessions are a great introduction to ground training and a valuable opportunity to connect with other members.
Stage 4: Solo Flight
You cannot begin flight training in the club planes unless you have been through the new members class. In order to obtain your Private Pilot’s Certificate and to solo the plane, you must obtain an FAA Medical Certificate and a Student Pilot Certificate. Students need at least a 3rd class FAA medical certificate – you must be 16 to apply.
Register for your
Student Pilot Certificate
This is required. The application takes up to 3 weeks to process. They will run security checks and then issue you a student pilot certificate. Instructions:
- Click “Register”
- Check is “applicant”
- Choose “agree” to TOS and continue
- Complete personal information
- Complete citizenship
- Complete residential address
- Answer security questions
- Create Username and password
- Click register
- Log back in and apply for a “Student Pilot” Certificate
- The final step is with an instructor.
FAA Designated Medical Examiners
De. Eliott Thompson: 502.895.0524
W. “Chip” Richardson: (502) 863-3112
David Hiestand, MD: 502.292.7248
Med Ex: https://medxpress.faa.gov/medxpress/
Stage 5: CROSS-COUNTRY
During this stage of training you will be working on your written exam. Here is a link to the prep book that contains possible questions and answers:
We will be offering a prep for the written exam in the advanced ground school. Register here.
Stage 6: Checkride Prep
Flight Club hosts a FREE weekly ground school class every Saturday from 10:30am – 12pm, in the large upstairs classroom. Attending is recommended prior to enrolling in Ground and Simulator Training and is a great introduction to aviation and learning.
Scholarships
Scholar-ships
Flight Club 502 is dedicated to lowering the barriers of entry to the field of aviation by offering several Flight Training Scholarships that are open to all youth applicants between 15 and 21 years of age who live in the central KY / Louisville area. Age exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis. Award selections will be weighted through a combination of selection criteria: Motivation, needs, merit and availability for training. Scholarship awardees may use the funds for flight training. There will be a total of eleven Scholarships awarded:
2024 Scholarships
- Alagia Family Foundation Scholarship in Memory of Damian & Joyce Alagia: Nasir Roberts
- The Rex Krauklis Aviation Legacy Scholarship: Annika Gordon
- UPS Pilots & Mechanic Scholarship: Michael Lassel, Stefania Gama, Aidan Robinson, Brooklyn Johnson
- The Gerry Mitchell Memorial Scholarship: Hindi Garad
- The Mary & Robert Rounsavall Scholarship: Mya Hall
- The Laura and Michael Jones Aviation Vision Scholarship
- The Blueberry Spirit Scholarship: Mohamud Aden, Jonas Gordon
- Karen & Stephen Bickel Wings ov Inovation scholarship: Munir Abraham
- Flight Club 502 Empowerment Scholarship: Keagan Euker
- Flight Club 502 Executive Board Youth Empowerment Scholarship: Jake Taylor
- The Kellie and Mark Carter Aviation Endowment Scholarship: Ky’rick Davis
Pathways to Progress
Scholarship Requirements
Scholarships are open to any applicant in need of flight training for Private Pilots through Certified Flight Instructor Ratings. Current CFI’s are not eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be between 15 and 21 years of age who live in the central KY / Louisville area Age acceptations will be considered on a case by case basis.
- Applications MUST be turned in and include at least one letter of recommendation prior to the deadline (5pm on the last day of the application window) to be considered.
- Scholarship recipients must be members in good standing or become members prior to using any awarded funds. See (FlightClub502.org) for membership details.
- Applicants must be 15+ for powered flight training. (Must be 16 for Solo Flight and 17 to take the FAA Practical Test check ride).
- Applicants must complete the application process including submitting a short essay about why they are applying, their plans for the future and include how many hours a week they can commit to flight training.
- Candidates must submit a letter of recommendation from an adult teacher, mentor, or employer. Parental letters of recommendation will not be considered.
Become an Adult Volunteer
Flight Club 502 is not a Flight School, we are a youth development program. We use airplanes to build future leaders and lessons in aerospace to integrate STEM/Next Gen (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Learning, decision making, leadership and patriotism. All members participate on a committee and help run our nonprofit. We depend on volunteers to mentor the teenagers and run the nonprofit. Last year over 22,000 volunteer hours were logged. All volunteers go through the youth protection program through the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) program.
Please complete the two courses linked below as well as sign up in our Google Form. Thank you for your support and helping make Flight Club 502 such an amazing place!
Join EAA and complete young eagle training and background check:
Complete the Flight Club 502 Volunteer Form
Complete the EAA young eagle youth protection program
Complete the required TSA 30-min safety course
Please make a copy of your Young Eagle Leader Certificate from EAA when you receive it and we’ll put it on file at Flight Club 502.
“You will never stop learning in aviation.”
Camps and Classes
Summer Camps
Take flight this summer with Flight Club 502’s Aviation Programs! Whether you’re just beginning your aviation journey or looking for hands-on experiences in the aerospace industry, we offer exciting opportunities for youth ages 8-18 to explore the history of aviation, career pathways in aerospace, and how aircraft work through interactive experiences and exclusive field trips.
Summer Camps (Ages 8-12)
Our four-day summer camps provide an immersive introduction to aviation, featuring hands-on activities at Flight Club 502’s clubhouse and exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences, such as:
Regional Airport Authority & SDF Backside Tour
UPS Training Center & Flight Simulator Experience
Air Traffic Control Tower Tour
Vintage Warbirds Hangar & Police Helicopter Unit (conditions permitting)
Camp Details:
Ages: 8-12 years old
Group Size: Limited to 12 participants per session
Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $300 recommended – Families contribute what you can. We want all youth to have the opportunity to attend, regardless of financial ability.
Middle School Aviation Club (Saturday Camp Program)
10:00am - 12:00pmMiddle School Aviation Club (Saturday Camp Program)
10:00am - 12:00pmMiddle School Aviation Club (Saturday Camp Program)
10:00am - 12:00pmMiddle School Aviation Club (Saturday Camp Program)
10:00am - 12:00pmFridays at Flight Club 502
For teens ages 13-18, our Fridays at Flight Club program offers single-day opportunities to engage with aviation, explore career paths, and participate in hands-on learning experiences. Each Friday session includes a mix of aviation field trips, interactive activities, and mentorship opportunities designed to inspire the next generation of aviators.
Program Details
Ages: 13-18 years old
Schedule: Fridays, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 recommended – Families contribute what you can. No youth will be turned away due to financial need.
Space is limited! Register today to give your child the chance to explore the thrilling world of aviation! Special thanks to the Louisville Regional Airport Authority for their sponsorship, helping make these programs accessible to all youth!
Select a date for Friday’s at Flight Club 502 below and click for a link to sign up.
New Member Classes
Want to join Flight Club 502? First, you have to take the New Member Class, held once a month at Bowman Field. Click on the date below to sign up!
New Member Class
12:00pm - 4:00pmCarbon Cub Build
Applications
Schedule & Details
Youth members will work side-by-side with skilled mentors to gain real-world experience in a professional aviation environment and have two participation options:
Full-Time: 4-5 sessions/week
Part-Time: 2 sessions/week
You’ll be assigned a schedule based on your availability submitted in the application.
Build Days
June 2nd – August 8, 2025
Monday–Friday
Morning Session: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Afternoon Session: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Meet the Build Leadership Team
Larry Mooney – Master A&P Mechanic with Inspection Authorization
Peter Brondum – Retired Electrical Engineer
Maria Kozal – Private Pilot, Engineering Student, and former Flight Club VP
Questions? Email info@flightclub502.org or call (502) 208-6809