Veteran and pilot Frank B. Kennedy III has generously established the Richard “Dick” Baker Memorial Aviation Scholarship at Capitol Technology University, an endowment that will provide financial assistance to Aviation Professional Pilot undergraduate students. The scholarship honors the late Dr. Baker, founder and leading force in establishing the university’s aviation and uncrewed systems programs.
Frank Kennedy is the owner and Chief Flight Instructor at Navy Annapolis Flight Center, Inc. (NAFC), one of Maryland’s premier flight schools located at Lee Airport (KANP) and Tipton Airport (KFME) and a proud partner organization of Capitol Technology University. Like Dr. Baker, Kennedy played an important role in helping our university launch our flight program. He continues to support our mission by providing access to two of the airports and several resources used by our students to secure flight hours and certification.
“Frank Kennedy has been with us since the beginning,” said Frank Turney, Aviation Department Head at Capitol Technology University. “He is one of our flight program’s strongest supporters and has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of our aviation offerings. We truly appreciate his expertise and generosity towards our students and the next generation of pilots.”
Kennedy has made a significant $30,000 contribution to establish the scholarship and welcomes additional gifts to the fund. The endowment will provide financial assistance to one full-time Aviation Professional Pilot undergraduate student who maintains a minimum 3.0 GPA and completes their private pilot license certification. The fund also provides flexibility to expand the number of recipients as additional contributions are made to ensure a meaningful level of financial support for each scholar.
A Passion for Flight, An Investment in the Future
A lifetime devoted to aviation and Dr. Baker’s commitment to the university inspired Frank Kennedy to give to the next generation of pilots. Kennedy recalls that his interest in piloting started while watching military aircraft perform maneuvers near a base, along with flying with his grandfather in a J-3 Cub aircraft at just eight years old. These experiences later launched a career that spanned decades of service to military, commercial, and civilian aviation.
Kennedy earned his private pilot license at 18 and went on to study aviation at Louisiana Tech University. During his college years, he flew crop aircraft for local farmers before earning his bachelor’s degree. He then joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he flew the A-4, AV-8A and AV-8B. His military and civilian flying career continued for nearly two decades, including serving as squadron commanding officer at Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, North Carolina.
After transferring to the Pentagon in 1993, Kennedy continued to contribute to aviation education and flight training. He served as President of the Navy Annapolis Flying Club and became the Chief Flight Instructor (CFI) in 2001. Following his retirement from the Marine Corps in 1998, he began piloting with Atlas Air, flying Boeing 747 aircraft in global operations. He retired in 2015 as a Captain for Boeing 747-400, 747-8 and Large Cargo Freighters.
Kennedy also played a significant role in the evolution of the Navy Annapolis Flying Club, now Navy Annapolis Flight Center, Inc., leading its privatization in 2001. There, he implemented structured programs for both the United States Naval Academy’s Naval Initial Flight Screening Program, as well as a civilian Part 141 flight school.
Today, Kennedy oversees more than 30 full-time flight instructors and continues to fly as a certified flight instructor, check pilot, and Part 135 pilot. He has accumulated more than 20,000 flight hours, including more than 2,600 tactical flight hours.
His gift to our university reflects his lifelong commitment to aviation and education.
Honoring a Pioneer in Aviation Education at Capitol Tech
The Richard “Dick” Baker Memorial Aviation Scholarship recognizes the contributions of Dr. Baker’s vision in shaping Capitol Tech’s aviation programs.
Dr. Baker joined Capitol Tech in 2017 after a distinguished career spanning military service, aviation, academia, and technology. A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, Baker had more than 2,000 hours as a weapons systems officer in the F-4 Phantom II and 36 years of military service. He also served as Director of Human Factors and Safety at American Airlines, where he oversaw training related to safety, crew resource management, and recurrent training for pilots and flight attendants.
At Capitol Tech, Baker's industry experience and academic expertise helped him develop programs designed around the changing needs of aviation and technology. He was the founder of our university’s aviation professional pilot program, which launched in 2023 and combines professional flight training and required certifications with a foundational undergraduate degree. This program is the only four-year pilot degree—and the only FAA-Authorized Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) certified program—offered within the DC Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA).
His work also helped advance Capitol Tech’s uncrewed systems programs, reflecting his belief in preparing students for emerging technologies and the future of autonomous flight.
After his passing in 2024, Baker was remembered by colleagues and students not only for his professional accomplishments, but also for his mentorship and dedication to student success. As a doctoral chair, he supported students pursuing advanced degrees and was a source of encouragement to many members of the Capitol Tech community.
This scholarship will help students pursue the aviation education he and Kennedy helped Capitol Technology University establish. Through Frank Kennedy’s generosity, Dick Baker’s impact, along with many other supporters, will continue to take flight in the next generation of aviation professionals.
If you'd like to contribute to this scholarship, please donate online and designate your gift to the Richard “Dick” Baker Memorial Aviation Scholarship or contact Gail Battle at advancement@captechu.edu.