CLAUDE R. PLATTE DFW CHAPTER T.A.I.

MAKE IT FLY!

In June 1999, the Make It Fly Foundation was established by a group of aviation companies, organizations, and learning institutions with a mission to “successfully promote aviation as a valued career path and to encourage the advancement and positive development of future generations of aviation technicians.” 

In order to achieve that mission, the foundation produced promotional material and created a website. They also initiated an awareness program and fundraising efforts. A military transition program was begun and an equipment donor program to schools and a hanger tours program were modeled. Make It Fly also facilitated modeling of an apprenticeship and internship program.

When their research found that the best way to get youth interested in an aviation career is to allow them to see firsthand what is involved in making an airplane fly, the Make It Fly Foundation established the “Kids to the Hangar Program.” The nationwide awareness campaign challenging the aviation community to invite parents, teachers, and counselors to take youth to a hangar was launched in May 2000 with a full-color ad appearing in aviation trade publications. For those in the aviation community who respond to the challenge, a “how to” guide is provided by Make It Fly. The guide contains a step-by-step process that begins with the initial contact with area schools and continues through the logistics and details of the actual hangar tour. Make It Fly describes “Kids to the Hangar” as a grassroots effort that fits well with their goals. Call 800.788.4707 or visit www.MakeItFly.com

Dr. L. Mubarak, DFW TA News

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