Thu, Jul 21, 2016
Tuskegee NEXT Celebrates Second Anniversary Of Program Assisting 100 Chicago-Area Youngsters Obtain Pilot Licenses by 2025
Honoring the legacy of the Tuskegee Airman, Tuskegee Next seeks to transform the lives of at-risk youth through aviation education providing career path opportunities so they can transform their communities. This year, nine Tuskegee NEXT cadets are participating in the program.
At an event held Tuesday at Illinois Aviation Academy located at the DuPage Airport Authority in West Chicago, IL, the cadets took a flight with their instructors and participated in classroom study.
One of the original Tuskegee Airmen, Milton Williams, made a personal visit to inspire and encourage the young pilots. Williams was 21 years old when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and selected for the Army Air Corps. Williams followed cadet training at Tuskegee Institute and served as a 2nd Lieutenant before being discharged. Williams has been a member of the Chicago Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen for more than 30 years.
Diego Perez, Tyler McCray and Tyler Thomas are three of nine Tuskegee NEXT cadets from the Chicago area who are enrolled in the program. On Tuesday at least one of the cadets was given the opportunity to perform his first solo flight. Soloing without the flight instructor is a pivotal step in the cadets’ training program to earn their pilot’s license.
Tuskegee NEXT seeks to provide role models and a clear path toward aviation careers through: Flight Training, Life Skills, and Educational Assistance. The 3-tiered approach involves an 8-week flight school; life-skills programs that offer mentorships and briefings of aerospace careers; and educational assistance, including scholarships, tuition and career guidance and internships.
(Source: news release. Image from 2015 YouTube video)
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