Introducing kids to aviation instead of gangs at Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum.

I don’t have enough time to give this the attention it deserves, but I did want to mention it here. I know a lot of pilots and other people interested in aviation visit this blog. If you’re one of these people, this should interest you as much as it interests me.

Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum (TAM) is a non-profit organization with the following mission:

The mission of TAM is to encourage youth involvement in aviation as an alternative to drugs, gang violence and other self-destructive activities. The program offers elementary, middle, and high school students the opportunity to work one-on-one with qualified tutors, mentors and aviation staff five days per week. The program requires that students maintain above average grades and stay out of trouble. We have concluded that their newfound interest in aviation and relevant historical events improves their overall academic performance as well as their behavior in school.

TAM does this by offering flight school programs that are partially funded by corporate contributions and the contribution of member “angels.” From the Aviation Angels information page:

The Aviation Angels is not just a fundraising and expansion program for Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum but is a pact of community supporters and advocates from all walks of life who feel passionate about giving youth their rights to achieve and succeed.

Today’s youth is faced with many hurdles such as gang and domestic violence, and many other types of dangers which prevent them from reaching their full potential. The Aviation Angels is a group of advocates that want to help bring these children of tomorrow to a higher ground utilizing tools such as Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum and other types of positive programs that will enrich their lives.

The Aviation Angels is also a coalition not only in a sense that the more members who join, the more funding of programs to help these kids shine but most importantly your membership allows us to expand the program to other communities and offer more scholarships to help the youth succeed.

I became an angel this morning with a tax deductible contribution of only $50 — less than my husband and I might spend for a nice dinner out.

I learned about TAM in AOPA‘s Flight Training magazine. TAM students recently broke two records:

• Jonathan Strickland of Los Angeles soloed both an airplane and helicopter on the same day at age 14, becoming the youngest black pilot to do so. On one of his flights, became the youngest black pilot to fly a helicopter internationally or fly a helicopter on an international round trip.
• Kelly Anyadiki of Inglewood, CA, at age 16, became the youngest black female to solo four different airplanes on the same day.

While these records may seem strange or even arbitrary, they mean a great deal to their record holders. Any time a young person achieves something special, he or she gets a sense of accomplishment that encourages future great things. This can also encourage peers to work harder and achieve. Even without record-breaking results, participants in TAM’s programs can help otherwise underprivileged kids get a good, positive start in life by helping them understand how important education and discipline are to get ahead in life.

Anyway, I urge readers to visit the TAM Web site and learn more about their programs. And if you have $50 to contribute to a good, tax-deductable charity, I hope you’ll consider joining me as an Aviation Angel.