California Aeronautical University (CAU) is proud to announce it will host the U.S. Air Force’s AIM High Flight Academy (AHFA) for the fourth consecutive year this summer.
Organized by the Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, AHFA is a prestigious aviation scholarship program that provides a three-week introductory flight training experience designed to teach and inspire the next generation of aviators and leaders.
In 2026, CAU will host 96 of the program’s 120 cadets nationwide, reinforcing its role as a premier training partner. CAU will conduct three three-week sessions with 32 cadets each, making it one of only two institutions selected to host the program this year:
- Session One: May 25 – June 14, 2026
- Session Two: June 18 – July 8, 2026
- Session Three: July 10 – July 30, 2026
Selected students, ages 16–23, receive one-on-one flight instruction from CAU’s certified flight instructors and can log up to 15 hours of flight time aboard the University’s training aircraft. In addition to hands-on flight training, cadets participate in classroom instruction covering aviation safety, weather fundamentals, navigation, and other key concepts essential to flight.
Beyond flight training and ground school, cadets benefit from a well-rounded experience that includes field trips and group activities designed to expand their exposure to aviation. This year’s program includes visits to the FAA air traffic control tower, along with team-building activities in the Bakersfield community.
Previous cadets at CAU expressed they enjoyed meeting new people from a variety of ages and backgrounds and building connections with CAU instructors and Air Force mentors. Visiting the local Air Force Base and taking flight for the first time were among the most memorable experiences.
“My favorite part [was] the very first take off on our very first flight lesson,” said AHFA 2023 cadet Daisy. “That was when everything culminated from ground school, you know the aerodynamics and the physics principles. It all just came alive at that moment, and it was just so euphoric.”
Participants are immersed in campus life during their time at CAU, staying in on-campus housing, dining at the University café, and utilizing campus amenities at CAU’s 20-acre aviation campus located at Meadows Field Airport.
As a fully funded scholarship program, the Air Force covers all expenses for cadets, including flight training, housing, meals, and transportation—helping ensure access to aviation opportunities for students from a wide range of backgrounds.
The impact of the program extends beyond the three-week experience. Several cadets from previous AIM High cohorts have continued their aviation journey at CAU, enrolling in the University’s degree programs and taking steps toward a commercial pilot career.
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“Hosting the Air Force’s AIM High Flight Academy for the fourth year is an incredible honor for California Aeronautical University,” said CAU President Matthew Johnston. “This continued partnership reflects the strength of our flight training programs and our shared commitment to inspiring future aviators. We are proud to provide these cadets with a transformative experience that can shape their future in aviation.”
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