SUCCESS: American Dream

The AviNation American Dream Tour to promote aviation/aerospace education and career opportunities to diverse youth was in Southern California in October 2022. Local, regional, and national industry leaders, educators, and mentors shared their inspirational journeys with interested students.

Santa Monica High School, Kern High School Career & Technical Education Center, Palmdale High School Engineering Program, and the Edwards Air Force Base STEM Expo allowed the Tour to reach thousands of potential young aviators and future industry leaders.

A standout "aha moment" was that perhaps the teachers and leaders were learning as much as the students, and all were having fun! "What is an FBO (Fixed Base Operator) or CFI (Certified Flight Instructor)?" asked a few teachers and administrators.

All were working together to accomplish the AviNation mission to attract, educate, and empower youth in aerospace. In Bakersfield, where a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter flew in, the waiting crowd applauded, many of the industry leaders taking "selfie" photos

The leaders represented were from a wide variety of aviation and aerospace disciplines- an Ag Pilot, two F-15 pilots, an aviation attorney, two airport managers, a 20-year-old pilot, a 15-year-old who is building an airplane, an FBO manager, an air traffic controller, a museum director, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter pilot, an A&P Mechanic, a DOD engineer, and a Youth Aero Club president - in addition to, college and

At the Kern High Career & Technical Education Center, I was invited to speak with students in small groups. To "break the ice" and get to know the student audience, I asked them to name their hobbies. One student responded,