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| For a printable application 2008 Summer Flight Academy Application | |
| For a printable brochure 2008 Summer Flight Academy Brochure |
Les Morris BPA 2008 Summer Flight Academy
For several years the BPA Summer Flight Academy ( SFA ) has excited young people about
flying and their potential as a participant in the aviation field. Furthermore, the
Summer Flight Academy has helped them translate this excitement to academic studies
which form the foundation of a productive career in aviation. The instructors are
all experienced flight instructors who volunteer their time to share their combined
experience of 165 years in the aviation field with the young people in the BPA Summer
Flight Academy.
The BPA Summer Flight Academy is held at Texas Southern University in Houston, TX.
Successful participants receive 10 hours of flight time and 40 hours of ground school.
They must have at least a B average and be between the ages of 15 - 19. Students who
complete the course and at the approval and supervision of the instructor may be allowed
to perform a solo flight of the aircraft
The following account is from the journal of our dedicated SFA Director Les Morris:
I arrived on Saturday, July 2, to prepare for the 7th BPA Summer Flight Academy. Saturday evening I met with the Bronze Eagles and started the final planning for the next two weeks.
Tuesday morning I met with Fred Lewis at the Greystone Apartments, my home for the next 20 days. We rented a U-haul truck to move the supplies and equipment from our storage area, James Millers hangar, to the Greystone. Other Bronze Eagles pitched in and we completed the move in three hours. The remainder of the day was spent unpacking and organizing the supplies.
Wednesday, Rhonda Lyons, Deputy Director, arrived. She immediately got active shopping for additional sheets, pillows, blankets, etc. Meanwhile rooms had to be prepared for the instructors that would arrive in the next few days and students that would arrive on Saturday. By Friday everything is ready for the Students arrival and the staff met for dinner and the final planning meeting.
Saturday morning the Bronze Eagles met the arriving students and by 3 pm all but one student had arrived. At 4pm a briefing was held with the entire staff including flight instructors. This year Corey Sheppard, Corey Niter, Veronica Harris, Earl McGuire, Pascal Alexander, Marvin Smith and Derek Donovan served as flight instructors. Bob Griffin, Anthony Hall, Marvin Smith, Myra Walker and Danny Perkins served as ground instructors. Fred Lewis and Hubert Looney were the Transportation Specialists and Rhonda Lyons served the dual role as ground instructor and Deputy Director.
Saturday evening the students received a two hour briefing on what was planned and expected for the next two weeks.
Sunday morning everyone met at Ellington Airport. Pictures were taken by Fred Lewis
Then the students, with their instructors, began to learn how to preflight an aircraft.
Aircraft were provided by James Miller of Brazos Avionics, Mike King of King Aviation
and Gary Ryan of Windsock Aviation. After the preflights were completed everyone
was invited to Anthony Halls hangar for hamburgers and hot dogs. The students then
returned to the Greystone Apartments for dinner and to prepare for Monday.
Monday morning we began the routine that would be followed for the next two weeks. Half of the students were taken to the airport for flight instruction and the other half went to ground school at TSU. At the airport, while the students were waiting to fly, they received instruction on aircraft systems, traffic patterns, communications and flight maneuvers. At TSU the students received instruction on aerodynamics, ATC procedures and communications, FARs, navigation, etc. Everyone met back at TSU for lunch and then the students switched roles for the afternoon. After dinner all of the students attended class until 9 pm reviewing for the FAA written exam. Except for thunderstorms interfering with flight operations the week went fairly smooth.
Friday night the students went to the movies On Saturday they assisted with the Bronze Eagles charity flights, and then visited the Houston Air Traffic Control Center. Saturday evening they went to Six Flags. Sunday they went to the Texas Air Museum and Moody Gardens and then a bar-b-que was held at the Greystone on Sunday evening.
Before we realized it the second week had come to an end. A graduation was held on Friday afternoon and everyone prepared to depart on Saturday.
In addition to all of the staff contributing their time and money to make the SFA a successful event, the following contributions were made by others.
Jeppesen contributed 10 flight kits through Eric Williams.
TSU contributed the accommodations at the Greystone Apartments, meals for the students and staff, a 16 passenger van for transportation, class rooms and a great staff to make sure everything went smoothly.
Bill King provided fuel at no charge for the entire two weeks, a class room at the airport and the airport staff that was ready to meet all of our requests and requirements.
Tony and Carolynn of the Airport Store provided maps and other equipment with great service.
Doug Smoots serviced the aircraft on a moments notice and as previously mentioned James Miller, Mike King and Gary Ryan providing the aircraft at reasonable rates.
We would like for you to meet this years SFA participants.
SFA Student Interviews 2005
ANDREW GORDAN
Age: 16
City, State: Grand Prairie, TX 75052
School: South Grand Prairie High School
Grade: 11th
Sponsor: Anthony Hall, Bronze Eagles of Texas
Why did you come to the BPA SFA?
Andrew attended the Summer Flight Academy to gain more flight hours and to learn more
about aviation.
Future Goals:
During high school, Andrew plans to continue flying and to focus on Automotive Technology.
In college he wants to major in Aeronautical Engineering with the goals to become
a NASA pilot/ astronaut or to become a corporate airline pilot.
RICARDO ASTILLERO II
Age: 15
City, State: Northfield, NJ 08225
School: Mainland Regional High School
Grade: 11th
Sponsor: Derek Grier, Roscoe Draper Chapter
Why did you come to the BPA SFA?
Ricardo attended the Summer Flight Academy to gain more information about aviation
through learning and exposure.
Future Goals:
Ricardo plans to complete all of his flight ratings while in high school. Following
high school he plans to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University of Florida Tech
to major in Aeronautical Science. Ultimately he plans to achieve his dream of
becoming a commercial airline pilot.
MILTON ARNUM JR.
Name: Milton Arnum Jr.
Age: 15
City, State: Stockbridge, GA 30281
School: Rockdale High School
Grade: 10th
Sponsor: Milton & Sheila Arnold
Why did you come to the BPA SFA?
Milton attended the Summer Flight Academy to learn to fly, taking him one step
closer to his goal of becoming an airline pilot.
Future Goals:
While in high school, Milton plans to continue to fly and to obtain his flight ratings.
Being a magnet school student, Milton would like to receive a scholarship to college
and major in Mechanical Engineering. Milton aspires to be a commercial airline
pilot with one of the major air carriers.
JOSHUA EDWARDS
Age: 16
City, State: Austin, TX 78741
School: William B. Travis High School
Grade: 11th
Sponsor: Kevin Sanders, Bronze Eagles of Texas
Why did you come to the BPA SFA?
Joshua attended the Summer Flight Academy to obtain flight training and hours.
Future Goals:
Joshua plans to attend University of Houston or North Texas University to major in
something related to aviation. He plans to become a Naval officer/ aviator and
a karate instructor.
TROY PITTMAN
Age: 16
City, State: Plainfield, NJ 07060
School: Plainfield High School
Grade: 12th
Sponsor: Joseph Holt, Albert E. Forsythe Chapter
Why did you come to the BPA SFA?
Troy attended the SFA to obtain a new experience with flying by completing the FAA
written exam and to solo.
Future Goals:
As a member of the local Civil Air Patrol, Troy plans to attend Rutgers University
in New Jersey to major in Chemistry and minor in English. Troy also plans to
play football and join the Air Force ROTC program. He will continue to obtain his
flight ratings and ultimately fly for the Air Force if he does not get drafted into
the NFL.
BRYANT LEWIS
Age: 16
City, State: New Orleans, LA 70126
School: Warren Easton High School
Sponsor: Palmer Sullins Jr., New Orleans Golden Eagles
Why did you come to the BPA SFA?
Bryant attended the Summer Flight Academy to learn to fly.
Future Goals:
Bryant plans to continue to complete all of his flight ratings while in high
school. Post high school he plans to attend one of the following universities:
Tuskegee, Embry-Riddle or the University of Miami to major in Aeronautical Engineering.
Following his academic studies, he plans to join the Air Force to pursue flying and
to proudly serve his country.
CHRISTOPHER FARRELL
Age: 17
City, State: Boothwyn, PA 19061
School: Florida Institute of Technology
Grade: Freshman (1st year college)
Sponsor: Derek Grier, Roscoe Draper Chapter
Why did you come to the BPA SFA?
Chris attended the Summer Flight Academy to obtain flight hours and training before
attending college.
Future Goals:
Chris is majoring in Aeronautical Science at Florida Institute of Technology
with a concentration in Flight. He will obtain all of his flight ratings.
After college he plans to pursue a career as a corporate airline pilot.
MICHAEL BAPTISTE II
Age: 18
City, State: Slidell, LA 70461
School: University of New Orleans
Grade: Freshman (1st year college)
Sponsor: Palmer Sullins Jr., New Orleans Golden Eagles
Why did you come to the BPA Summer Flight Academy?
Michael attended the Summer Flight Academy to learn to fly airplanes.
Future Goals:
At the University of New Orleans, Michael plans to major in Business/ Entrepreneurship
and minor in Marine Biology. Along with continuing to obtain his pilot ratings,
Michael plans to play basketball at UNNO. As a certified Master Diver, he plans
to start his own franchise of marine/ recreational businesses providing charter flights
and personalized diving trips.
MATTHEW PANTON
Age: 15
City, State: Westfield, NJ 07090
School: Washington High School
Grade: 10th
Sponsor: Derek Grier, Roscoe Draper Chapter
Why did you come to the Summer Flight Academy?
Being a flight simulator fanatic, Matthew discovered the SFA and decided that he wanted
to learn to fly.
Future Goals:
While in high school, Matthew plans to continue his flight training and obtain all
of his ratings. He plans to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to major
in Aeronautical Engineering and Flight Training. Following College he plans
to become a part of one of the major air carriers as a pilot.
MARK BENTON II
Age: 17
City, State: San Bruno, CA 94066
School: Bridgemont High School
Grade: 12th
Sponsor:
Why did you come to the Summer Flight Academy?
Mark attended the Academy because he wants to become a pilot.
Future Goals:
Mark plans to attend an HBCU (Tuskegee, Morehouse or North Carolina A&T) and participate
in ROTC. He plans to major in Aerospace Engineering or Mathematics. Following
college he plans to join the military to become a fighter pilot. Mark also plans
to utilize his aviation skills as a pilot and member of the SWAT (special weapons
and tactics) with the Los Angeles Police Department.
JAMES MOORE
Age: 15
City, State: Ferguson, MO 63135
School: Wenterville High School
Grade: 10th
Sponsor: St. Louis Chapter
Why did you come to the Summer Flight Academy?
James attended the Summer Flight Academy because he desired to be a pilot many
years ago.
Future Goals:
James does not plan to continue flight training however, he values his flight experience
and post high school plans to attend the University of Missouri and possibly follow
in the footsteps of his father as an engineer.
TAJSHEENA CURTIS
Age: 15
City, State: Los Angeles, CA 90043
School: Laces High School
Grade: 10th
Sponsor: Mr. & Mrs. Curtis
Why did you come to the Summer Flight Academy?
Tajsheena attended the Summer Flight Academy to learn more about aviation.
Future Goals:
While in high school, Tajsheena plans to work towards a solid 4.0 grade point average.
Following high school she plans to attend Harvard University to major in Business,
ultimately becoming a business entrepreneur.
JEREMY JENKINS
Age: 15
City, State: Houston, TX 77004
School: Sterling High School
Grade: 10th
Sponsor: Anthony Hall Jr., Bronze Eagles of Texas
Why did you come to the Summer Flight Academy?
Since the age of 5, Jeremy has wanted to become a pilot. The SFA was here
to place him one step closer to his childhood dream.
Future Goals:
Prior to completing high school, Jeremy plans to obtain his airframe and powerplant
(A & P) license. Jeremy aspires to be accepted into the US Naval Academy
following high school. He plans to major in Computer Science/ Electronics.
Following his naval aviation career, he plans to fly jets in the corporate aviation
industry.
DANIEL BENAVIDEZ
Age: 18
City, State: Houston, TX 77012
School: Sterling High School
Grade: 12th
Sponsor: Anthony Hall Jr., Bronze Eagles of Texas
Why did you come to the Summer Flight Academy?
Daniel attended the Summer Flight Academy to expand his knowledge of aviation and
to take the FAA written exam.
Future goals:
Following high school, Daniel plans to attend college and join ROTC on a scholarship.
Following this he plans to join the US Navy as a naval aviator, retire and join the
ranks of the commercial aviators.
WILLIAM HARKINS
Age: 16
City, State: Ft. Washington, MD 20744
School: Oxon Hill High School
Grade: 11th
Sponsor: Gene Stanley, John W. Green Jr. Chapter
Why did you come to the Summer Flight Academy?
Being a member of JROTC, William wanted to learn to fly and was referred to the
Summer Flight Academy.
Future Goals:
As a member of JROTC (Flight Commander 2LT) in High School, William plans to get his
private pilots license prior to graduation. Following graduation, he plans to
attend one of the following: Delaware State, Embry-Riddle, Tuskegee or Auburn
University and join ROTC. William plans to major in Aeronautical Science and
focus on flight training. After college William plans to fly in the Air Force
or Coast Guard then eventually become a commercial airline pilot.
AVERY FOOTE
Age: 17
City, State: North Brunswick, NJ 08902
School: North Brunswick Township High School
Grade: 12th
Sponsor: Joseph Holt, Albert E. Forsythe Chapter
Why did you come to the Summer Flight Academy?
Avery attended the Summer Flight Academy because he likes flying. He got involved
in his local Civil Air Patrol and was referred to the Academy by his commander.
Future Goals:
While in high school, Avery plans to complete his pilots license and to continue serving
with the Civil Air Patrol. In college he plans to major in Mathematics and Aerospace
Engineering while being a member of the Air Force ROTC. Following college he
plans to go into the Air Force and desires to become a test pilot. While Avery
plans to become a professional pilot, he still states that he is leaving his options
open.
For a printable application 2008 Summer Flight Academy Application
For a printable brochure 2008 Summer Flight Academy Brochure