ESA Approved Vendor · Arizona

Fund your child'saviation future.

Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account can fully fund flight training for young aviators — zero out-of-pocket cost to parents.

Start at age 13. Solo at 16. Earn certificates by 17–18. Launch an aviation career right out of high school.

Enroll Today!How It Works

Out-of-pocket for parents

$6K–$9K+

Annual ESA funding

Ages 13+

Can start training

By 18

Career-ready pilots

Arizona ESA

What is the ESA program?

The Empowerment Scholarship Account lets state education dollars follow your child when you choose education outside traditional public schools.

90% State Funding

Receive 90% of your child's per-pupil state funding ($6,000–$9,000+ annually) deposited quarterly into a ClassWallet account.

Flexible Use

Use funds for approved educational expenses including flight training, curriculum, tutoring, technology, and more.

Rollover Funds

Unused balances roll over to future years, allowing you to save for advanced flight training and certificates.

Why aviation

The smartest use of ESA funds.

Aviation education is a legitimate, comprehensive pathway that integrates core academics while building real-world career skills.

Comprehensive STEM Education

Aviation integrates mathematics (navigation, fuel calculations), science (aerodynamics, meteorology, physics), and technology (modern avionics, GPS systems).

Early Career Preparation

Students can start training before age 16 and earn private pilot certificates at 17, commercial licenses at 18, and become flight instructors by 18–19.

Character & Life Skills

Flight training builds discipline, responsibility, decision-making, communication skills, and confidence—qualities that serve students throughout their lives.

Zero Out-of-Pocket Cost

With ESA funding, parents pay nothing for their child's aviation education. Professional pilot training becomes accessible to families who couldn't otherwise afford it.

Student Success Story

“We have students who by the time they turn 18 have almost all of their certificates and are already starting to look for jobs as either instructors or other entry-level jobs into the aviation world.”

— Desert Skies Aviation Team

Your child's aviation path

Ages 13–15

Ground school, simulator training, dual instruction

Age 16

First solo flight, student pilot certificate

Age 17

Private pilot certificate earned

Ages 18–19

Commercial pilot & instructor certificates

Eligibility

Who qualifies?

Most Arizona students qualify for the universal ESA program.

Basic Requirements

✓Training age: At least 13 years old to begin ESA flight training with Desert Skies
✓Residency: Must reside in Arizona (proof required)
✓School Status: Cannot remain enrolled in public/charter school while receiving ESA funds
✓Curriculum: Parents provide education in core subjects — flight training satisfies these requirements

Good news: Students can begin accumulating flight hours and complete ground school well before their 16th birthday. By the time they're eligible to solo, they'll already have substantial experience.

Get started

Five steps to flying.

Follow these simple steps to begin using ESA funds for your child's aviation education.

Apply for ESA

Visit the ESA Applicant Portal and submit your application. You'll need your child's birth certificate, proof of residency, and disability documentation if applicable. Applications are processed within ~30 days.

Go to ESA Portal

Sign ESA Contract

Once approved, sign the ESA contract acknowledging you'll provide education in core subjects. Your ClassWallet account will be set up within ~3 weeks, and funds are deposited quarterly.

Create Your Desert Skies Student Account

Desert Skies Aviation is registered with ClassWallet and approved by the ADE to receive ESA payments. Create your portal account with ESA enrollment pre-selected to begin onboarding.

Start ESA Enrollment

Begin Training

Schedule lessons with our FAA-certified instructors. After each session, we provide an invoice you pay through ClassWallet. Training is flexible — once a week, twice a month, or as often as you like.

Track Progress & Achieve Milestones

Monitor your child's progress toward their private pilot certificate and beyond. Parents are welcome to observe training sessions, and instructors provide regular progress updates.

The program

What training looks like.

Flexible, personalized training tailored to each student's needs and your family's schedule.

Custom Schedule

Flight lessons are scheduled around each family's needs. ESA's flexibility lets you adapt training frequency to your child's academic workload.

One-on-One Instruction

Each student works directly with a certified flight instructor during ground school, simulator time, and aircraft flights.

Comprehensive Curriculum

Aerodynamics, aircraft systems, weather, navigation, flight planning, safety, and FAA regulations — integrating reading, math, science, and social studies.

Parental Involvement

Parents are welcome to observe training sessions and participate in briefings. Instructors communicate regularly about progress and lesson objectives.

Start at 13 — it matters

While students cannot solo until age 16, they can complete nearly all flight training requirements ahead of time. Students who start at 13 obtain private pilot certificates shortly after their 17th birthdays — and some become commercial pilots or flight instructors by 18 or 19.

FAA requirements

Certificate milestones.

Understanding when students can earn each certificate helps you plan their aviation journey.

Certificate	Min Age	Key Requirements
Student Pilot Certificate	16 years	Required only before solo flight; not needed to start lessons
Private Pilot Certificate	17 years	Minimum 40 flight hours, written knowledge test, practical flight test
Commercial Pilot License	18 years	Must hold private pilot certificate and meet specific flight-hour requirements
Flight Instructor Certificate	18 years	Requires commercial certificate, instructor training, written and practical exams

Students do not need a student pilot certificate to begin flying lessons. ESA-funded students can complete much of the required training while in middle or high school.

FAQ

ESA program questions

The Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program allows state education dollars to follow your child when families choose education options outside traditional public schools. Funds are deposited into a ClassWallet account for approved educational expenses.

Resources

Official links.

Everything you need to navigate the Arizona ESA program.

Ready to launch your child's aviation career?

Create your Desert Skies student account with ESA enrollment pre-selected. We'll guide you through onboarding and program setup.

Enroll Today!Schedule a Consultation

Need state ESA funding first? Apply at the Arizona ESA portal

ESA support line: 602-364-1969 · Monday–Friday