On October 1st, We will Announce the LM Maintenance Scholarships available for 2027! The Scholarship application window will be open from 1/1/2027 to 3/15/2027.
The IAA Scholarship Committee will announce the 2027 scholarship winners by April 15th, 2027.
Announcing Our 2026 Winners
2026 Winner: Jared Cranney
I was born and raised in Salmon, ID and am currently living in
Pocatello ID. I am going to school at ISU in the Aviation Maintenance program.
I am working on completing my second semester of the 2-year course and plan to take my general
written test this summer as soon as possible. I enjoy every day at the hangar since there is always hands-on work needing to be done.
Aviation has always been very interesting to me, and I am very motivated to pursue it as a career.
Helping in a community is also extremely rewarding to me as I get to see people benefit from the
work I have done. I helped provide a landing access for all aviation enthusiasts by helping with
the reopening of the Hoodoo Meadows landing strip. With a four-man crew, we accomplished the
removal of thousands of trees to clear the 1900ft landing strip in just 2 weeks. This was a very
exciting project as we got to watch the first plane land, as well as restore an old piece of history.
Throughout the project, I got to experience backcountry flying at its finest and got to work with Dick Williams and Dave Shallow, along with other pilot friends.
I am very excited to pursue a career in aviation maintenance as it will push me to learn new things and look at problems in different ways. My goal is to do the best quality work I am capable of, as I believe the work I do speaks for the type of person I am.
I am very honored to have been awarded this scholarship! My excitement to pursue a career in aviation grows with every passing day. I am incredibly grateful for the support I have helping me succeed in doing the best work I can. I take immense pride in my work and strive to do things safely and correctly.
With the Funds that I have been generously awarded I plan to use them for my tuition helping me fund my schooling. I am very grateful for this as I will be able to focus more on learning and less on paying the bills. My top priority is to take the necessary A&P tests to obtain my certificate. Once I am a licensed mechanic I plan to work in general aviation helping people safely fly and access landing strips in all of Idaho.
I want to thank the Larson Miller Donors and the IAA members and scholarship committee for funding and supporting me on my journey in aviation maintenance. I hope to be a part of and contribute to the IAA as well as Idaho’s aviation as a whole.
Thank you so much for your support!
2026 Winner: Eliza DeBry
I began my aviation career at FedEx Express as a materials handler on airplanes. Continuing on to Customer Relations at American Airlines, I wanted more job satisfaction and mental engagement. After some research, I found the job of aircraft mechanic. I started at Idaho State University in the Aircraft Maintenance Program and was nominated as the Vice-President 2 weeks into class, and continued through my second year. In May 2026, I will be graduating with an Associate of Applied Sciences and plan on taking my A & P licenses before going into the workforce. I am very excited to begin my aircraft maintenance career at Robinson Helicopters in Torrance, CA, as a member of their Experimental Flight Test team. More info coming soon!
I am honored to have been selected for the IAA Larson-Miller Maintenance Scholarship.
I would like to thank the IAA scholarship board, specifically those who chose to select me for the scholarship. There are not enough ways to say thank you, the mental and financial relief, more time to study rather than working, and the opportunity to represent in my career from Idaho’s aviation program and IAA community.
Unfortunately, I am not a poet or great with words. There is a quote by an anonymous person that I appreciate: “Cursed are those that feel oceans, but can express a drop.
The funds will be used for study materials and testing for my licenses. As we all know, nothing in aviation is cheap. If any funds remain, they will be allocated toward purchasing tools needed for my aviation career, as general tools are typically not provided by employers.
Idaho Aviation Scholarships
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