MY DAY: NON-FLIGHT SCHOOL TIME AGAIN
I love to fly and love a smooth landing at my destination. I have mentioned before that the idea that God has blessed man to place that much steel, energy, space, controls among the heavenly clouds with hundreds of humans on board is still a sheer fascinating wonder to me. USA Today reported recently that the demand for airline pilots will soar. The Black Pilots of America constantly bombard this column with information about the wide blue sky and the opportunities that exist. Airlines face worse pilot shortage in decades. My article has been a drum major for the aviation industry, scholarship information for black students and all collective needs to act, lead in propelling our youth forward. In the wide world of aviation, African Americans make up less than 6% of pilots today… hold fewer key positions and jobs in the aviation industry.
Every day there is ‘hot’ international news about aviation. Private jet owners in Nigeria has risen 650% in five years. Rival China is the fastest growing private jet market in the world. According to Chandigach Airport, private jets in India is on the rise. Ten year old Charlie Goldfarb, with Hollywood Aviators has logged 20-plus flight hours. Nathan Patterson, a 12 years old from Kansas, is making plans for his pilot’s license. I still speak of my unmatched experience watching 16 year old Nathan Clark, then a student at Skyline High School, land an open single engine plane at Dallas Executive Airport. (See Aviation Mom).
Just a gentle reminder. This summer, Dallas Executive Airport will again host “Flight School” a highly popular educational summer program for 4th and 5th graders only, that’s ages 10 and 12 years old. This program has existed for many years at the Frontier of Flight Museum at Love Field. Statistics show that African American children lag in the country’s most needed positions, i.e., science, technology, engineering, math (STEM). On the other side of these statistics, we do have 10 year olds who are excelling in the STEM subjects. And we need to know who they are. Where they are? Churches, pastors, parents and community royalty offer the greatest support to identify, enlist and enroll. We already have commitments to transport students, support students, volunteers, etc. Please share this information. In the meanwhile, if you are bored, the Friends of Obama Male Leadership Academy could use some dedicated volunteers.
Ester Davis can be reached at 214.376.9000. For the Well AWARE Group, Willa Scott & Noni
