Wayne State University

AIM HIGHER

Federal Trio Programs

Aviation Career Academy

What is Aviation Career Academy?
ACE studentThe Aviation Career (ACE) Academy serves Detroit area youth who are interested in careers in the field of aviation. The program exposes 25 students to the duties and responsibilities of pilots, air traffic controllers, and aviation administration in civilian and military contexts. They receive mentoring from members of the Federal Aviation Administration, local chapter of the Tuskeegee Airmen and the Black Pilots Association.

Activities

  • Learn about careers in aviation
  • Construct and fly model airplanes
  • Field trips to Detroit City Airport, Metro Airport, Tuskegee Airmen Museum and Selfridge ABGB
  • Orientation flights in a single engine aircraft
  • And more. . . 

View the 2006 Schedule of activities (pdf). . .

Who Can Participate?
8th, 9th, and 10th grade students who

  • participate in the King-Chávez-Parks College Day Vision Club or the HEOC/Talent Search Program
  • are enrolled in a Detroit Public School served by either program
  • are referred by one of the sponsoring organizations listed below.

ACE studentAdmission to the ACE Academy is selective and requires submission of a complete application package (pdf)  by the deadline. Applications may also be obtained from the King-Chávez-Parks or HEOC/Talent Search contact counselor in your school. 

ACE Academy Sponsors 

Federal Aviation Administration
Wayne State University Marketing and Communications
Wayne State University Federal TRIO Programs-ACCESS
Tuskeegee Airmen Incorporated
National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees
Organization of Black Airline Pilots
Black Pilots of America

ACE Academy Staff

Dr. Charles Green, TRIO Educational Talent Search
Dr. William Robinson, King -havez-Parks College Day Program
Dr. Brian Smith Co-Director ACE Academy
Samonta Jones, Co-Director, ACE Academy
Willor Brown, Tuskeegee Airmen Incorporated
Harry Stewart, Tuskeegee Airmen Incorporated
Jeff Lane, Northwest Airlines
Mel Marten, Air Traffic Controller-Retired
Asia Doster, Federal Aviation Administration
Brian Jones, Federal Aviation Administration
Tammy Smith, Federal Aviation Administration
Mark Hardy, WMU School of Aviation
Ramone Crowe
Staff Members: TRIO Educational Talent Search & King-Chavez-Parks College Day