Flight Training - January/February 2020 - 26

PREFLIGHT YOU CAN FLY

BY DAVID TULIS

CHANGING THE WORLD
SYMPOSIUM HIGHLIGHTS AVIATION'S FUTURE

AOPA'S FIFTH HIGH SCHOOL AVIATION

STEM Symposium was held at the
United Airlines Flight Training Center in
Denver in November. The event included
a dozen breakout sessions; addresses
from leaders at United Airlines, Uber
Elevate, and the U.S. Air Force; as well
as opportunities for teachers to network
and share ideas.
"Young people can do anything
they set out to do as long as they have
encouragement and a good support
team," said retired U.S. Air Force
Thunderbirds demonstration squadron
commander Kevin Robbins in a general
session.
"Don't let other people discourage
you from achieving your dreams," he
told more than 350 science, tech-

nology, engineering, and
math (STEM) educators
during the two-day gathering, which focused on
leadership, best learning
practices, and hands-on
projects designed to engage
youth in aviation.
United Airlines Senior Vice
President of Flight Operations Bryan
Quigley told educators that the aviation industry was striving to catch
up on hiring demands in the face of
impending pilot retirements, continued growth, and worldwide demand
for air travel. "I do believe the demand
is intense for pilots and I do believe
there is a pilot shortage out there," he
told them. "We need new blood and
new talent, and we need them in all
areas" of aviation, he said.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jacqueline
Van Ovost added that the future of flight
is both "in [the] air and in space-and in
manned and unmanned operations." She
asked educators to look for the "diamond

AOPA'S YOU CAN FLY INITIATIVE WINS NAA AWARD

in the rough" students and
nurture them until they shine.
"We need you-we
absolutely need you," echoed
Susan White, the senior
manager for pilot recruiting
at United Airlines, during a
panel discussion on career
choices. "You are making a
difference in the world of
aviation."
The AOPA STEM conference for educators began in 2015 to give high school
leaders an opportunity to network, hear
from aviation professionals, and learn
from each other. Since then, AOPA
has coached hundreds of teachers and
provided them with classroom resources
and hands-on training that make learning
fun and informative, while exposing
students to aviation careers that they
may not have previously considered. In
the current school year, more than 5,000
ninth, tenth, and eleventh graders at 161
schools in 34 states are utilizing AOPA's
curriculum.
"You are going to change the
world," said AOPA President Mark
Baker, who thanked teachers for their
untiring support of youth. "You are
changing young people's lives, I guarantee it."
The 2020 AOPA High School Aviation STEM Symposium will be held in
Orlando, Florida, November 9 and 10.
david.tulis@aopa.org

The National Aeronautic Association recognized AOPA's You Can Fly initiative with one of its highest honors, the Frank G.
Brewer Trophy, "for fostering an appreciation of general aviation flying by working to make it more accessible and affordable to all."
"It is truly an honor to accept the Brewer Trophy on behalf of AOPA and the You Can Fly team," AOPA President Mark
Baker said upon accepting the trophy. "I'm very proud of how far You Can Fly has come in just a few short years, and I know
we are just getting started. Thank you to the NAA Brewer Trophy selection committee for recognizing the hard work and
effort You Can Fly is putting into growing and protecting the general aviation pilot community."
You Can Fly reminds students, lapsed pilots, and everyone in between that flying is within reach. The multifaceted program is composed of four initiatives: flight training, flying clubs, rusty pilots, and high schools. It has recognized hundreds
of flight instructors and flight schools for exceptional training experiences; started more than 134 flying clubs; welcomed
back some 7,600 rusty pilots; and exposed more than 8,000 students to its high school science, technology, engineering,
and math (STEM) curriculum.
The You Can Fly program and the AOPA Air Safety Institute are funded by charitable donations to the AOPA Foundation,
a 501(c)(3) organization.
aopafoundation.org/donate
26 FLIGHT TRAINING JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

http://www.aopafoundation.org/donate

Flight Training - January/February 2020

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