LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Dozens of future pilots and aerospace professionals took to the skies on Friday.
It’s touted as one of the best aerospace programs for young people in the country and on Friday dozens of future pilots and aerospace professionals took to the skies above Louisville.
The Aerospace Career Education or “ACE” Academy is a series of summer camps giving young people a glimpse into the careers of aviation. On Friday, June 24, nearly 50 students met at Bowman Field for the introductory camp for students between 11 and 14 years old.
20 years ago, UPS Worldport pilot Jordan Dorsey was a young “ACE” camper.
“That’s the crazy part, is I don’t think these kids realize what they have through this camp, but this camp for me in particular, played a huge role to get me where I am today,” Dorsey told Spectrum News 1.
The camp is put on by The Organization for Black Aerospace Professionals, which Dorsey is now a member of. The group advocates and strives to increase diversity in the aerospace industry.
“The best part is watching them come off after the first flight and seeing the looks on their faces after that,” Dorsey said.
The camp attracts children and teens from across the country and beyond, with advanced camps and introductory camps like Friday’s flights at Bowman Field. The “glimpse” into the world of aerospace includes a view from 1,000 feet. Each pilot volunteers their time to teach and promote a wide variety of career paths in aerospace, whether that’s a commercial pilot, freight pilot, engineer, flight control, tower employees and many other positions.
Aubrey Schupp flew with Captain Gary and two other campers.
“It was amazing,” Schupp said. “We saw the Ohio River. I mean, I saw a bunch of pools and houses. It was nice,” Schupp adds.
The ACE Academy camps returned after a 2-year-hiatus caused by the pandemic.
Many of the campers parents attended the flying event including Antissa Wells who is cheering on her daughter Boston.
“What we didn’t know was all the different jobs that there are besides just being a pilot… we’ve learned so many different things they can do in the future,” Wells said.