The Lee A. Archer Jr. Red Tail Flying Program

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THE LEE A. ARCHER, JR. RED TAIL FLYING PROGRAM: A PROGRAM OF INTERVENTION WITH DISADVANTAGED YOUTH USING AVIATION AS A VEHICLE TO MENTOR, PROVIDE ROLE MODELS AND TEACH ACADEMIC AND LIFE SKILLS.  

 

IMMEDIATE/SHORT TERM GOAL: AWARD A MINIMUM OF 2 STUDENT A FAA PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE AT THE STUDENT'S HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION EXERCISE. 

 

INTERMEDIATE/LONG TERM GOALS: EXPAND THE PROGRAM TO A TOTAL OF 10 TO 20 YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN EXTENDING FROM THE 7 TH THROUGH THE 12TH GRADES.  

  •  ONCE WEEKLY, EVENING, ACADEMIC SESSIONS PROVIDING TUTORING FOR SCHOOL WORK, MENTORING, COUNSELING AND A RIGOROUS CURRICULUM OF AVIATION SUBJECTS.

  • FIELD TRIPS TO AREA BUSINESSES, AIRPORTS AND OTHER EXPERIENCE BROADENING DESTINATIONS.

  • PAID AND UNPAID INTERNSHIPS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES PROVIDING INSIGHT INTO THE CAREERS AVAILABLE AND THE ACADEMIC PREREQUISITES NECESSARY TO PURSUE THOSE CAREERS.

  •  FIELD TRIPS AND INTERNSHIPS TO CORPORATE AVIATION FACILITIES, COMMERCIAL AIRLINE FACILITIES AND FAA FACILITIES. SPECIFICALLY TAILORED TO UTILIZE THE EXPERTISE, EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL AVAILABLE IN ALL FUNCTIONAL AREAS, FOR EXAMPLE:

Ø                   AVIATION DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS AND DISPATCH

Ø                   AIRCREW: PILOTS/CABIN MANAGERS/FLIGHT ATTENDANTS

Ø                   AIRCRAFT MECHANICS

Ø                   FOOD PREPARATION AND SERVICE

Ø                   ACCOUNTING

Ø                   SECURITY

Ø                   GENERAL OFFICE SKILLS

Ø                   FACILITY MANAGEMENT

Ø                   CONTROLLERS

Ø                   BASE MANAGERS

  • AWARD 2-5 FAA PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATES EACH YEAR AT GRADUATION CEREMONIES AROUND THE MID-HUDSON VALLEY.

    THE MAJOR GENERAL IRENE TROWELL-HARRIS CHAPTER GOALS ARE INSPIRED BY AND SUPPORTS THOSE OF THE NATIONAL TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, INC., WHICH PROMOTES THE INTERESTS AND HONORS THE MEMORY OF THE BLACK AIRMEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS AT TUSKEGEE, ALABAMA DURING THE 1940S.  WE TELL THE STORY OF THE ASPIRATIONS, FRUSTRATIONS AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE SUCCESSES OF THESE PIONEERING MEN AND WOMEN, EVERYDAY, IN EVERY FORUM POSSIBLE. OUR GOAL IS TO SEEK OUT AND MENTOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO WANT TO MAKE AVIATION A CAREER GOAL, WHETHER CIVILIAN OR MILITARY.

     

     IN KEEPING WITH THIS MISSION, THE CHAPTER HAS ESTABLISHED OF THE “LEE A. ARCHER RED TAIL YOUTH FLYING PROGRAM.”  THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO USE FLIGHT INSTRUCTION AS A CONTEXT TO MENTOR, TUTOR AND PROVIDE ROLE MODELS FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO EFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY.  CITIGROUP, AMERICAN EXPRESS, AND THE ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY HAS PROVIDED THE START-UP FUNDS TO ALLOW THIS PROGRAM TO BECOME A REALITY.  THE CHAPTER IS SEEKING LOW- TO MODERATE-INCOME YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF THIRTEEN AND EIGHTEEN AND CURRENTLY ATTENDING SCHOOL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.  CANDIDATES MUST BE WILLING TO COMMIT TO A RIGOROUS AND DISCIPLINED ROUTINE OF STUDY, RESULTING IN THE REWARDS OF A CAREER IN AVIATION.

      

    OUR PROGRAM WILL EDUCATE STUDENTS IN THE SEVENTH THROUGH TWELFTH GRADES THAT ARE NOT FINANCIALLY ABLE AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE TRAINING TO OBTAIN THEIR PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE.  THE PROGRAM WILL INSTILL DISCIPLINE AND LEADERSHIP TO ITS PARTICIPANTS.  WE WILL ENDEAVOR TO MAKE BETTER LEADERS AND CITIZENS BY TEACHING THE DISCIPLINE REQUIRED OF AVIATION PROFESSIONALS.  WE HAVE AN EAGER GROUP OF INSTRUCTORS / MENTORS, CONSISTING OF PILOTS FOR MAJOR AIRLINES, CORPORATIONS AND THE MILITARY.  MANY OF OUR CHAPTER MEMBERS ARE ALSO MEMBERS OF THE 105TH MILITARY AIRLIFT WING AT STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE AND HAVE COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO THE PROJECT.  WE UTILIZE CLASSROOM TRAINING WITH ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION THAT INSPIRE MATH AND SCIENCE, HAND'S-ON FLIGHT TRAINING, MENTOR PROGRAMS AND INTERNSHIPS.