Flights over Detroit in private airplanes, tours of an airport control tower and aircraft maintenance hangars, model glider-flying competition, classes in the theory of flight and the history of aviation. It's all part of the Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy centered at Wayne State University, July 7-11, in this year that marks the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' famous flight.

In its 11th year at Wayne State, the weeklong program is aimed at encouraging 8th-10th graders in the Detroit area to think about careers in aviation. It includes introductory classes in weather and navigation, tours of an airport fire station and the Tuskegee Airmen Museum, a model rocket demonstration and more.

The Academy is coordinated by a unit of the Academic College Enrichment Services at Wayne State. Several organizations cooperate with the university in sponsorship, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Tuskegee Airmen, Organization of Black Airline Pilots, Black Pilots of America and National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees. The ACE program was started by the FAA and is held in various areas of the country where local organizers and co-sponsoring groups are available. The highlight for most of the ACE Academy participants in Detroit next week will be flights over the city from Detroit City Airport on Wednesday, July 9. (Flights will depart from the Detroit Pilot Shop, 10 a.m.-noon and 1:15-2:30 pm.) The airplanes used for the "orientation flights" are owned and operated by members of the sponsoring organizations, who volunteer to assist in the program.

Wayne State's program normally includes about 20-30 students, who are nominated by teachers or one of the sponsoring organizations. Participants receive a certificate at the end of the week during a session marking completion of the camp.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 31,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.

Note: A complete schedule of ACE Academy activities is available, as are spokespersons to discuss the program. Please contact Tom Sakely (313- 577-2150) or William Robinson Jr. (313-577-3082) for assistance.