TAM Assists Students In Preparing For Record Attempts
Young people at Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum (TAM) in Compton,
CA celebrated Black History Month recently, by making plans to set
new aviation world records.
Kelly Anyadiki, 16, plans to become the youngest African
American female to solo seven airplanes on the same day, and
16-year old Jonathan Strickland will solo seven airplanes and two
helicopters in tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen. The world record
events are scheduled to take place at Compton Woodley Airport (CPM)
on March 15, 2008.
"The kids at Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum want to tell the
world that the heritage of the Tuskegee Airmen is alive and well in
a new generation," said TAM founder Robin Petgrave. "These new
world records the kids will set are an example of where the past
meets the present and the future!"
At age 14, Jonathan Strickland became the youngest African
American to fly solo in a Robinson R-22 helicopter and a Cessna 152
on the same day. As ANN reported, Strickland
flew an R44 with an instructor from Compton, CA to Canada to set
those records, and in doing so also became the youngest African
American to fly a helicopter internationally, and to fly a
helicopter on an international round-trip.
All four of Strickland's world records have been recorded by the
Smithsonian Museum. Strickland also appeared on the Montel Williams
Show to celebrate his accomplishments.
On March 15, Kelly Anyadiki will fly solo in a Piper Tomahawk, a
Cessna 150, a Cessna 172RG, a Cessna 152, a Piper Cherokee 140, a
Cessna 172SP and a Piper Warrior. Jonathan Strickland will solo in
each of those aircraft as well, plus two more flights in a Robinson
R22 and an R44 helicopter.
Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum offers aviation-themed
afterschool programs for more than 800 kids from grades K-12. Kids
can take part in projects ranging from washing airplanes to
graffiti mitigation. Instead of earning money, kids are earn
‘museum bucks,' which they can apply toward flight
instruction.
The museum plans open additional locations across the country,
with the support of the Organization of Black Airline Pilots and
the Tuskegee Airmen. The Newport News, Virginia chapter of the
Tuskegee Airmen will open a TAM operation this spring, and the city
of Norwalk and the ‘Adopt A Bike' program in San Bernardino,
CA. have plans to open a TAM as well.