LAKELAND, Fla. — The Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo is renewing its focus on getting the next generation interested in aviation.
At 18 years old, Matt Diem received his pilot license. “I’m the primary technology in my circle of relatives to be an aviator. Nobody in my circle of relatives has their pilot’s license,” Diem mentioned.
He is the lead pupil mechanic for Lakeland Aero Club. The highschool flying program teaches scholars how to build, fly and deal with airplanes. Students overtly paintings on initiatives every yr at Sun ‘n Fun.
“My goal is to be an A&P. Through this club, I have my time. I have my 30 months that the FAA requires. I’m going to Tom Black Aviation to complete my Airframe and Powerplant certificate,” Diem mentioned.
Diem has already won a task be offering as an aircraft mechanic for Frontier Airlines. Many are taking a look to scholars like Diem for the long run of aviation.
“With our critical shortage of pilots and mechanics technicians right now, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. It’s vitally important that we engage young kids at a young age,” mentioned Eric Crump, Aerospace Center for Excellence Executive Director.
Crump evolved a brand new youth program known as “Junior ACEs,” which introduced at Sun ‘n Fun this week. Designed for youngsters ages seven to 17, it options hands-on workshops in science, generation, engineering and arithmetic.
“Students can fly flight simulators, learn about circuitry and electronics and also even build an airplane,” Crump mentioned.
Jaden Bulter flew in from Pittsburg, PA to attend Sun ‘n Fun. She needs to develop into a pilot and is the usage of flight simulators to observe.
“We were flying the simulator. I have a logbook so we are counting these as hours,” Bulter mentioned.
Sun ‘n Fun performs a very important position in developing the following technology of aviation professionals.