Bronze Eagle Fly-In
Waco Chapter of The Links Inc. and the Bronze Eagle Flying Club of Houston partnered together in December to bring to the Waco Community the Bronze Eagle Youth Fly-in.
This event was open to the Waco Community, but the chapter strongly recruited the participation of African Americans, Hispanics, girls and members of other groups that are underrepresented in STEM-related occupations.
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. Demetra Kennedy, chair, said this statistic creates an opportunity for today’s youth.
“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 astronauts, pilots and to fly in an airplane. Participants also operated flight simulators, learned about Black aviation pioneers and experienced the world of air traffic control.
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 Connecting Link Jesse 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.
"Community support was great," said Kennedy who estimates that more than 205 children attended. "People have asked us to repeat the Fly-in in 2012."
Heir-o-Links, Timothy and William Hall-Ramirez, were amazed by the event.
“It was awesome,” said Timothy who really enjoyed meeting pilots and an astronaut. “I may consider becoming a pilot.”
Links President Josette Ayres agreed that the Fly-In was successful on all accounts.
“We may look into co-sponsoring it every year,” she added.
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