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When you get on an airline to fly somewhere, you are placing your life in the hands of two or three highly trained professional pilots. By necessity and by passion, these pilots have dedicated their lives to training, more training, and then re-training, to keep their skills honed razor sharp at all times.
Their skills are necessary not only for a safe flight, but are also critical to the flow of business all over the world. Without enough highly trained pilots, where would we be?
Of course, these professional pilots had to get their start somewhere. Perhaps a family member or close family friend is a pilot and gave them their start. Perhaps they went to an aviation college after high school. Somewhere, somehow, their dream got a start.
We at Crystal Aero Group believe in doing our part to give back to the community that has supported us and the industry that has so enriched our lives. Originally established in 1993, the scholarship was created to help a Citrus County high school senior with a strong interest in aviation get a head start on their training.
In December 2022, it was decided to rename the award the Captain Tom Davis Aviation Scholarship in honor of Crystal Aero Group co-founder Captain Thomas E. Davis, USN (Ret.), celebrating his 33 years of military service, his passion for mentoring young aviators, and his lasting legacy at Crystal River Airport.
How Do I Apply?
Purpose of the Scholarship:
To provide initial pilot training to a Citrus County high school senior, leading to FAA certification as a Private Pilot ASEL. (Alternatively, advanced training of an equivalent value may be arranged). Scholarship Value: $8,000.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Senior in good standing at a Citrus County high school.
- Seventeen (17) years of age by March 1st of senior year.
- Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above.
- Strong, demonstrated interest in an aviation career.
- Meets medical requirements of an FAA Third Class physical exam.
- Waivers of criteria (2) and (3) will be considered for otherwise exceptional candidates.
Selection Committee:
A distinguished committee comprised of the Citrus County Aviation Advisory Board’s Chairman, Crystal Aero Group’s President, and the Citrus County Aviation Association’s President (or designated representatives) reviews all candidate applications and selects a short list for personal interviews. The review committee selects a primary candidate along with a first and second alternate.
Scholarship Conditions:
- • Flight and ground training will take place with Crystal Aero Group at Capt. Tom Davis Field.
- • Includes 100% of all costs associated with training: ground school, training materials/books, dual and solo flight hours, FAA aviation medical exam, and all stage & final checkride tests ($8,000 value).
- • Training must be completed within six months of the date of selection.
- • Flight hours are scheduled around the minimum Part 141 required hours of 35.
- • Employees of Crystal Aero Group and their direct dependents are not eligible.
Ready to Apply?
Applications are coordinated through the career guidance counselor at each Citrus County high school. For application packets or questions, contact Crystal Aero Group directly at (352) 795-6868 or [email protected].
Who Was Captain Tom E. Davis?
“He led by doing. His unbridled enthusiasm was infectious to everyone around him.”
When you land at Crystal River Airport (KCGC), you are touching down on Captain Tom Davis Field — named in honor of a decorated naval aviator, entrepreneur, mentor, and co-founder of Crystal Aero Group whose passion for aviation transformed Citrus County.
Captain Thomas Edwards Davis served 33 years in the United States Navy across World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. A recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, he commanded Training Squadron VT-9, Carrier Air Traffic Control on the USS Intrepid, and Fleet Tactical Support Squadron VR-1 (“Can Do – Where To”).
Upon retiring to Citrus County in 1978, Tom co-founded Crystal Aero Group, building it from a single grass strip into a premier FAA Part 141 flight academy and full-service FBO. For his five decades of incident-free flying and mentorship, the FAA honored him with the prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.
Originally established in 1993, the scholarship was officially renamed the Captain Tom Davis Aviation Scholarship in December 2022 following Tom's passing at age 95, ensuring that his legacy of lifting up young aviators endures for generations to come.