Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter (ARAC), TAI and the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) Inaugurate Successful ACE Camp
The ARAC/OBAP team launched its inaugural ACE Camp in the Phoenix area May 30 – 3 June 2006. By all accounts, the event was a smashing success. The Camp was held at the Papago Army National Guard Training Site, 5838 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix. It was conducted 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM daily through June 2, 2006. From Tuesday to Friday, the youngsters attended the camp at Papago. An additional seven local Civil Air Patrol cadets joined the group for a tour of nearby Luke AFB. On June 1, the Boeing Company in Mesa hosted the ACE campers with a field trip to see first-hand the assembly line of the Apache Helicopter. The Camp concluded at Papago on Friday, June 2. On Saturday, June 3, the 538 Chapter, Experimental Aircraft Association Squadron, provided free orientation flights at the Glendale Airport. Many parents turned out to see their kids get their first flights, thus leaving their entire family with aspirations to pursue aviation careers.
The ARAC/OBAP team focused on minority and disadvantage kids, and the attendees came from across the Valley of the Sun. These included three youngsters from Yuma, AZ who came up for the fly day on June 3rd. The Camp included classes on goals, life skills, history, air traffic control, and basic aerodynamics. Also, several Tuskegee Airmen and other role models gave inspirational lectures about their experiences and about how to overcome obstacles in life. The Campers also enjoyed presentations from Engineering, Management, & Technology (EMT), Inc., Embry-Riddle, the Air National Guard, Boeing Company, and the US Air Force. In addition, the participants built and flew model airplanes, observed the Apache Helicopter assembly line, and were able to see and touch numerous military and civilian aircraft during the week.
A major highlight of the camp was the visit of pilots from Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum (TAM) in Compton, CA. Jonathan Strickland, a 14-year student pilot, landed a helicopter on the helipad in front of the Boeing Company with ACE Campers and many key Boeing mangers and employees looking on. Flying on board with Jonathan and Robin Petgrave, Founder of TAM, was Bob Ashby, our local Tuskegee Airmen. Keenly aware of Bob’s accomplishments, Jonathan used this visit as a tune-up for his pending world record plan to solo in a helicopter and fix-wing aircraft on the same day. His historic achievement was to take place in Canada later in the month. Robin, Jonathan and several TAM members are expected to attend the 2006 IBAC Co-Convention in phoenix, August 2 - 3, 206.
The ARAC/OBAP team has established an excellent template for conducting future ACE Camps in Arizona. Partnerships have been initiated with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ, the Arizona Air National Guard, Luke AFB, Boeing Company in Mesa, AZ, and the 538 Chapter, Experimental Aircraft Association in Phoenix. The team is confident that by working together, an even greater effort is possible in the future.
Michael Toliver, Camp Director
view pictures here |