Flights over Detroit in private airplanes, tours of an airport control tower and aircraft maintenance hangars, model glider 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 9-13. About 25 students, mostly from schools in Detroit, are participating in the program, now in its 15th year at WSU.

Aimed at encouraging 8th-10th graders to consider careers in aviation, the ACE Academy also includes introductory classes in weather and navigation, a tour of the Tuskegee Airmen Museum, a model rocket demonstration and more. Each event-packed day gives students exposure to different facets of aviation.

The program is coordinated by 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 participants in Detroit will be flights over the city from Detroit City Airport on Wednesday, July 11. (Flights will depart from the Detroit Pilot Shop, north of the main terminal, 9:45 a.m.-noon) Aircraft used for the popular activity are owned and operated by members of the sponsoring organizations, who volunteer to assist in the program.

Students in the Wayne State program are nominated by teachers or by one of the sponsoring organizations. Participants receive a certificate at the end of the week during a graduation session marking completion of the camp.

For more information: Contact William Robinson Jr. (313-577-3082).