Waco’s first Bronze Eagle Fly-in

Timothy and William

By Mia Moody-Ramirez

Waco’s first Bronze Eagle Fly-in was a success with hundreds of participants from all walks of life.

Co-sponsored by the Waco Chapter of The Links, Inc. and the  Bronze Eagles Flying Club (BEFC) of Texas, it targeted African Americans, Hispanics, girls and members of other groups that are underrepresented in STEM-related occupations.

Demetra Kennedy, Links chair, said the 2011 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook indicates that by 2030 the global aviation industry will require 460,000 new commercial airline pilots and 650,000 new commercial airline maintenance technicians,

“The good news is there are many scholarships available in the aviation field,” she said. “We need to make sure our children take advantage of them!””

The Fly-in gave local youth the opportunity to meet an astronaut/pilots and experience flying in a plane. Participants also operated flight simulators, learned about Black aviation pioneers and experienced the world of air traffic control.

Connecting Link, Jesse Hayes, and Heir-o-Links, Timothy and William Hall-Ramirez, were featured on KWTX's 10 p.m. newscast. KWTX Video

“It was awesome,” said Timothy who really enjoyed meeting pilots and an astronaut. “I may consider becoming a pilot.”

The Bronze Eagles Flying Club (BEFC) of Texas is a nonprofit charity flying organization and chapter of the Black Pilots of America, (BPA).

“We help disadvantaged youth in their endeavors toward higher education, particularly in the field of aviation,” said Hayes, who was instrumental in bringing the program to Waco.

The organization also offers a variety of services including: free familiarization flights, free aviation career training, and a National Summer Flight Academy for eligible students.

Links President Josette Ayres said the Fly-in was successful on all accounts.

“We may look at co-sponsoring it every year,” she added.

Movie created by Timothy Hall-Ramirez