Showcases Aviation-Themed After-School Program For At-Risk
Youth
By Maxine Scheer, ANN Correspondent
On Saturday, May 15, 2010, five red-tails flew in tight
formation over the skies of South Central Los Angeles, a day of
celebration of aviation and an honor to the Tuskegee Airmen.
The young pilots who flew this tribute were trained through the
efforts of an unrelenting group of advocates and supporters of
at-risk youth. "History is being made today," said Robin Petgrave,
Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum founder, as he proudly pointed to
the fleet of red-tailed aircraft that also bear the signatures of
Tuskegee Airmen who actively support the program.
To identify themselves, The Tuskegee Airmen painted the tails of
their aircraft red. Those "red-tails" became a much welcomed site
to bombers they escorted and successfully protected from enemy
fighters during WWII.
The airshow in Compton this past weekend was part of an annual
Aviation Industry Career Expo, a free community event that also
included static displays and career exhibits from Tomorrow's
Aeronautical Museum supporters and collaborators that included
Boeing, the Organization of Black Airline Pilots, Tuskegee Airmen,
Black Women Lawyers, Southwest Airlines, Civil Air Patrol, Buffalo
Soldiers, and many more.
TAM Pilots And Instructors
Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum (TAM) doesn't just talk about the
problems of at-risk youth, TAM delivers results and inspires
children who strive to achieve world records that set the bar for
what is possible for themselves and others. The most recent being
15-year-old Kimberly Anyadike, who, with an adult safety pilot and
her Tuskegee Mentor, Levi Thornhill, embarked in June 2009 on a 13
day journey, and flew a Cessna 172 cross-country from her hometown
of Compton, CA to Newport News, VA. Anyadike is thought to be the
youngest African American female pilot to fly a plane solo across
the country.
Robin Petgrave With Tuskegee Airmen
Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum is an example of what can be done
with an airport that sits in the middle of a dense urban area and a
vision for a program that sets an entirely new dimension for what
many people in US suburbs might describe as an enrichment
program. TAM responds to the harsh reality of the need for a
safe place for children to go, after school, where they can derive
the sense of empowerment that comes from structure, inspiration,
support and rich subject matter. It is a great example of how
to effectively use the Airport and Aviation, not purely as a
motivator for inspiring future aviation professionals, but as a
tool for inspiring oneself, regardless of career interests.
Tuskegee Airman Signature
Anyadike said in an interview that she aspired to be a
cardiovascular surgeon. To all those pilots out there reading this,
don't cringe, go for it Kimberly! Hopefully we'll see you at future
aviation events or flying your colleagues from Doctors without
Borders.
Redtails On The Flightline
Ace pilot, entrepreneur and visionary, Robin Petgrave deserves a
lot of the credit for exhibiting the will and energy to motivate
the many volunteers and sustain a great non-profit program. Credit
also goes to the Board of Supervisors and the Aviation Commission
of Los Angeles County for the political will to keep Compton
Airport open. TAM is looking to grow and expand to other locations
as a replicable model for an after-school program.
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