Every student enrolled at Aspen High School, Colorado, USA is offered a free flight and the route to a possible career in aviation – now that’s a start in life!
The idea is called Every Student Flies and, after every flight, the student has a tour of Aspen Airport’s control tower and two aviation companies based there. They also take away a full package on aviation careers, college programmes, flight training and scholarships.
The flying part is with Aspen Flight Academy, a not-for-profit flight school based at the airport. It recently took delivery of two brand new Diamond DA40 NG aircraft.
“While our industry has seen various learn-to-fly programs, they haven’t always brought guaranteed success,” said Aspen Flight Academy Board Chair Michael Pearce who brings his years of flying general aviation aircraft and as a senior 777 Captain for American Airlines.
“Every Student Flies is succeeding because of the partnerships that tie directly into the flying experience. Each step brings together the important elements of flight with the right technology and support needed to enhance the flight experience.”
The Diamond and Aspen Flight Academy partnership will include two new aircraft every year for the next ten years. The 2020/2021 school year program has already experienced a surge in participants and will be sponsored by a grant from American Airlines.
Every Student Flies is intended to be the catalyst of training programmes, designed to be replicated as an educational template for growth in the aviation industry.