The Douglas Yost Memorial Aerobatic Scholarship Grant is administered by Chapter 78 of the International Aerobatic Club (IAC), a division of the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA). The Scholarship Grant is awarded annually from an endowment established in memory of pilot Douglas Yost by his family in 2002. The scholarship Fund also has continuing sponsorship from Link Snacks, Inc., makers of Jack Links Beef Jerky.

The purpose of this merit scholarship is to promote air safety through aerobatics training. Each recipient of this scholarship will receive a cash payment of $1,500 in the form of a check made payable to the aerobatic school where the recipient will be training. Training must be conducted at a facility approved by the Chapter 78 Scholarship committee and must be completed within a 12 month period from receiving the grant. A list of approved facilities can be provided to the successful applicant.

The successful scholarship applicant must be well rounded, involved in school and community activities as well as in aviation. The applicant's academic record should demonstrate that they could successfully complete the educational portion of aerobatic training. Flight instructor comment reports, or letters of recommendation must indicate that the successful applicant has the basic flying skills and potential to benefit from this type of training.

The minimum qualifications to apply include:
> Junior or Senior in College or other post-secondary school.
> Proof of Private Pilot's license or other higher licenses.
> Proof of current FAA medical certificate.

If you have questions, please contact Mike Niccum of the scholarship committee via this link:

Upon completing the scholarship application, you may either make the application into a pdf format and email to the scholarship committee or mail this address:

The application form is presented in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. Adobe UponAcrobat Reader can be downloaded free via this link:

Download Adobe Reader

The Scholarship is named for Doug Yost, aspiring young career pilot who was a captain for a large corporation and sport aviation pilot who was a rising star in the world of aerobatic competition. Doug tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident in 2002. Below is a photo of Doug Yost taken at the Great Lakes Regional Aerobatic Flying Contest in July of 2001.

Scholarship Recipients

2003 - Shannon Lepird of Grand Forks, North Dakota More about Shannon Lepird
2004 - Heather McNevin of Aitkin, Minnesota More about Heather McNevin
2005 - Ryan Flicek of Webster, Minnesota More about Ryan Flicek
2006 - Nathan Altmann of St. Cloud, Minnesota Read about Nathan's Aerobatic Training
2007 - Max Kahlhamer of Grand Forks, North Dakota Read about Max's Aerobatic Training
2008 - Ray Cole of Spencer, Iowa
2009 - Lise Lemeland of Hornell, NY More about Lise Lemeland