Kids in Aviation Blog
Stories, insights, and guidance for families exploring aviation. From career paths to safety, we cover what matters.
Kids in Aviation: Building Tomorrow's Leaders, One Flight at a Time
Discover how Kids in Aviation is transforming Arizona youth through flight training, scholarships, and mentorship. Learn about our mission to make aviation accessible to every child.
Why We Fly at Falcon Field: The Incredible History Behind Our Home Airport
Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona trained British Royal Air Force pilots during World War II. Today, it trains the next generation of young aviators through Kids in Aviation. Here is the full story — and why this airport is the best place in America for your child to learn to fly.
How Arizona ESA Funds Can Pay for Your Child's Flight Training
Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account program covers aviation education at Kids in Aviation — Discovery Flights, summer camp, private lessons, and more. Here's exactly how to use it.
7 Life-Changing Benefits of Learning to Fly as a Kid
From STEM skills and decision-making to career readiness and confidence — the research on early aviation education is compelling. Here's what the science and stories tell us.
What Flying Actually Teaches Kids (That Nothing Else Can)
Aviation builds a specific kind of character — systematic, calm under pressure, safety-first, and capable. Meet the skills young pilots develop that follow them for life.
Why Shannon & Jonathan Benkhe Started Kids in Aviation
The story behind Arizona's leading youth aviation program — a family's belief that every kid, regardless of background or ability, deserves to experience the freedom of flight.
The Pilot Shortage of 2026: Why Every Young Pilot Matters
The aviation industry is facing an unprecedented demand for pilots. We explore why starting young is more critical than ever.
The ESA Parent's Guide: Funding Your Child's Aviation Journey
Everything Arizona ESA families need to know about using scholarship funds for aviation education at Kids in Aviation.
Why Arizona is the Safest Place to Learn to Fly
Clear skies, expert instructors, and proven safety protocols make Arizona the ideal place for young pilots.
Shannon Benkhe: Building Arizona's Future Pilots Through Mentorship
How Shannon's mentorship-first approach and school partnerships are transforming young people across Arizona.
How Aviation Training Builds Responsibility and Maturity in Young People
The structural way aviation creates accountability, ownership, and maturity in ways other activities cannot.
NextGen Pilots Scholarship: How to Apply and Why It Matters
Complete guide to accessing scholarship funding so financial barriers never prevent a student from flying.
Arizona's Diverse Youth Discovering Aviation: Breaking Stereotypes, Building Dreams
How Kids in Aviation is opening doors for girls, neurodivergent learners, and students from all backgrounds.
Why Flight Simulator Training Matters: Building Confidence Before Taking to the Sky
How professional-grade simulators prepare young pilots and accelerate learning before real flights.
Reviews of Arizona Kids Aviation Schools: A Guide for Parents
Learn how to evaluate Arizona kids' aviation programs using safety standards, instructor credentials, aircraft access, and parent reviews—plus what to ask.
Best Aviation Schools for Kids in Chandler, Arizona
A practical Chandler guide for parents: what "best" means for youth aviation—curriculum, safety culture, instructor background, pricing, and location.
Scholarships for Kids' Aviation Programs: What to Know
A parent-friendly overview of common youth aviation scholarship types, eligibility, timelines, and application tips—plus ways to reduce program costs.
Kids in Aviation Programs: Ages, Tracks, and Outcomes
Explore Kids in Aviation learning paths, typical age ranges, class formats, skills taught, and how progress is measured—helpful for planning next steps.
How to Enroll Your Child in Aviation in Chandler, AZ
Step-by-step enrollment checklist for Chandler parents: choosing a level, required forms, scheduling, safety briefing, and what students should bring.
Aviation as STEM Education: Building the Workforce Pipeline Through Career Exposure and Access
How hands-on flight training delivers real STEM learning, exposes young people to high-paying aviation careers, and opens doors for kids who would never otherwise reach the cockpit.
The Tax Benefits of Donating Your Aircraft to Kids in Aviation
Donating an aircraft to a qualified nonprofit can deliver a larger financial benefit than selling, while putting your plane back to work inspiring young aviators. Here is how the tax math works, when donating beats selling, and what the process looks like.
Subleasing Your Aircraft to Legacy or Kids in Aviation: Realistic Monthly Returns
Own a plane that sits more than it flies? Here is a realistic breakdown of what a $500,000 Cirrus renting at $225 per hour can earn at light, moderate, and heavy utilization, and how subleasing turns an idle asset into monthly income.
Press & Recognition
Kids in Aviation Named #1 Coolest ESA Enrichment Program in Arizona
Arizona Christian Homeschools featured Kids in Aviation as the #1 pick in their "10 Coolest Enrichment Programs Arizona ESA Covers" guide — highlighting our discovery flights and aviation classes for kids as young as seven.
Kids in Aviation Featured on Fox 10 Phoenix
Fox 10 visited Falcon Field and interviewed our students about what it's like to learn to fly.
Mesa Aviation School Puts Kids Airborn
An in-depth profile of Kids in Aviation, founder Jonathan Behnke's journey, and the school's mission to make aviation accessible to all Arizona youth.
Kids in Aviation LLC on BBB
Better Business Bureau profile and ratings for Kids in Aviation LLC, Mesa, Arizona.