LOUISVILLE, Ky. — About 25 incoming seventh graders at Conway Middle School are exploring the ins and outs of aviation. Tyler Ferguson has had a fascination for airplanes since he was six.

What You Need To Know

  • Conway Middle School students are learning about aviation opportunities   

  • Nearly half a million people were employed in the air transportation industry in May 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  • Equus Flight Academy and Simmons college have partnered together to expose students to careers in aviation

Though he hasn’t flown on a plane, he is getting an inside look at the aviation field and how different aircraft work.

 “I think it’s really interesting how the planes really work. And I really love the design of planes, and I think they look really cool,” Tyler says. 

Equus Flight Academy works to educate students about the many careers in aviation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports nearly half a million people were employed in the air transportation industry in May 2022. More than a quarter million jobs were filled for air transportation support positions.

“We want the students in our scholars to know that those careers and those positions are just as important as the pilot that’s flying an aircraft. So early exposure helps the kid to know where they’re at, helps them to understand what talents and passions and gifts they have, and how they can cultivate that end up in a space that where it’s very needed as an aviation,” said Ebony Bartee, the Vice President of Recruitment at Equus Flight Academy.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports in 2023 less than 4% of employed aircraft pilots and flight engineers identify as Black or African American. Bartee says their goal is to show students from all backgrounds that there is space for them in the aviation industry.

“Then they now have a choice versus we make it a choice for them. With the lack of knowledge, you can’t be what you can’t see,” Bartee says. 

Tyler, a Conway Middle schooler, says he wants to go into the U.S. Air Force. He says he has enjoyed learning more about one of his passions.

“It was going to be an opportunity for me to learn more about planes and to get to know some people who have been on planes and some people who are experienced,” he said.

Middle schoolers gaining hands on experience in aviation and learning that the sky is the limit. Equus Flight Academy announced its partnership with Simmons college, a Historically Black College/University in Louisville. The academy will work to expose Simmons’ students to careers in aviation.

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