Flight Alpha Charlie Tango…proceed to runway 24…You are #4 for takeoff on runway 2-4. Is this a Delta pilot getting ready to take off from an airport? No! This is an African American fourteen year old teenage “ACE “camp member (Aviation Career Education) taking off in a Cessna 182F.
Can you imagine the thrill of this teenager as he climbs into the cockpit? Some of the students are so short, two telephone books are provided by the instructor as a ‘booster seat’. A fourteen year old 9th grader, who has never driven a car, much less an airplane, is learning to fly. What a summer camp experience!
Thanks to Capt. John Bailey, a Delta pilot and Mr. Posey Miller, a UPS pilot, Atlanta teenagers are experiencing the wonders of soaring through the air as “ACES” in a unique flying Summer Camp here in Atlanta.
Wanting to build confidence in African American teenagers and to expose them to the aviation industry, the Organization of Black Airline Pilots started this Aviation Career Education program. (ACE)
ACE camps are staggered around the country to encourage young African Americans to consider pursuing jobs in Aviation. Positions from pilots, to airframe maintenance, to communications, to lawyers, to airport managers are explored on site at a variety of airports in 16 cities.
But the highlight of the summer camps is when they are allowed to take control of the airplane for the first time with the instructor.
In Atlanta, the teenage student pilots, through ACE summer camps, are given behind-the-scene tours of Delta’s operation, explore the FAA control tower, and watch military jets come and go at the Dobbins Air Reserve Base. They have also had the chance to meet in person, members of the distinguished Tuskegee airmen, and have flown to the Dayton, Ohio U.S. Air Force National Museum to see aircraft of the past on a private jet.
To prove the point that providing teenagers with real life experiences will motivate them in their chosen careers, a recent alumnus of the ACE summer camp, returned wearing his Air Force Academy uniform. This young man first flew at an ACE camp four years ago. Two other summer camp members have gone to the Air Force Academy and one to the Naval Academy.
Kiwanis AMIEE:
Come volunteer and welcome international students,
October 14th, at Atlanta Symphony Hall, 4 p.m. (Peachtree and 15th Street) Ushers
and many other volunteer spots are needed to be filled.
Circle K Club:
Circle K Club is off and running, says Lantz Balthazar,
committee chair this year. Mr. Anthony Pinder, Morehouse Facility Advisor,
and Lantz have 16 current members and four more are in the offing. First
official meeting will be held shortly. More details to follow.
Fall Training Conference:
Kennesaw State University, Saturday October
6th. Registration includes (lunch: 15.00) Registration begins at 8AM.
Quote of the Day: President - Elect Sherry Neal
“The way
I see it, if you want the rainbow you’ve got to put up with some rain”.
--
Dolly Parton
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