Applications now available for youth Airport academy

(Fayetteville, N.C.) - Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY) staff members are excited to announce applications are available for the youth Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy. The ACE Academy is a partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Aviation to offer middle and high school students the opportunity to explore possible careers in aviation-related fields.

This is the first time FAY will host a summer camp for students. A minimum of 30 students will be selected from Westover High School, Douglas Byrd/Ireland Drive Middle School and Luther Nick Jeralds Middle School ensuring access and opportunity to students of all backgrounds. The Airport expects to enroll up to 50 additional students from other middle and high schools for a total of up to 80 campers. The week-long camp will be held from August 1-5.

FAY was awarded a $3,000 NCDOT grant to operate the ACE Academy. ACE Academy sponsors include: All American Aviation Services, LLC, Sierra Nevada Corporation | SNC, Signature Flight Support, Civil Air Patrol, Federal Aviation Administration, RS&H, Delta Air Lines, Transportation Security Administration, NCDOT Division of Aviation and the City of Fayetteville, North Carolina Government. These community sponsorships make the camp free for participants, including meals.

Camp participants will get hands-on, immersive experience in Airport commercial areas, Airport carrier operations, the carrier ramp, control tower and the airfield. Campers will attend sessions that include advice from major airline officials and FAY leaders about how to pursue a career in aviation and what to expect. They will also hear a special message from the NCDOT Division of Aviation.

Through the support and partnership of All American Aviation, Airport Engineers and the Civil Air Patrol, students may have the chance to take flight in an aircraft during their experience.

Aviation and aerospace professionals are in high demand. FAY administrators are hopeful that this early exposure opportunity will spark the passion for exploring these fields in middle and high school students to set them on the path toward military or civilian careers as airline pilots, aircraft technicians, drone pilots, air traffic controllers and engineers. Although students may seek a commercial airline career, many opportunities exist in the U.S. military, space exploration and agriculture sectors.

"In recent years, airline and airport managers have sought to address the effects of fewer airline pilots despite a growing demand for air travel," FAY Airport Director Dr. Toney Coleman said. "The greatest impact has been on air carrier service to regional airports like Fayetteville. FAY is pleased to collaborate with NCDOT in this effort by introducing students from lower-socio-economic areas and others to the aerospace talent pipeline. Maintenance of the regional pilot pipeline and the existence of FAY are intertwined."

Airport operations support a diverse and viable economy, a strategic goal of the Fayetteville City Council. More than 375,000 passengers chose to FLY FAY within the last year. According to a recent NCDOT report, FAY has a $790 million economic impact on the region supporting 4,575 jobs and generating $28 million in local and state taxes. Airport Phase Two renovations are expected to be substantially complete this summer. The inaugural ACE camp is one way City leaders and staff will add to these investments creating a sustainable and viable economy today and tomorrow.

The deadline to submit ACE applications is Friday, July 15, 2022 at 5 p.m. Participants will be selected for the camp on a first-come, first-serve basis. Campers will receive educational materials and take-home items. Call 910-433-1160 or email [email protected] with questions. Online applications are available at: https://www.fayettevillenc.gov/aceacademy. Visit flyfay.com to learn more about the history of FAY, available flights and training services.

###