"I Want All Of Them To Go Out And Do Great Things"

The Central Florida Aerospace Academy is a public school, filled with high-achieving students meeting high standards. People nearby are taking note, and students are soaring higher than ever.

"The kids are here because they want to be here," said School Resource Officer Cory Suttle. "They're dedicated."
The legally required ratio of officers to students is 1:1000, so with roughly 350 students enrolled in CFAA, Suttle is able to focus on more positive and meaningful interactions.

When walking around the school, Suttle says he can tell the difference immediately among students who have soloed or have their private pilot certificate.

"They carry themselves differently. They approach things differently," Suttle said.

Some students are able to solo or achieve their certificate through the James C. Ray (pictured) Scholarship Fund, named after a young man who was working as a steelworker in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, became a B-17 pilot during WWII, and then went on to inspire young people to join aviation.

The scholarship description itself models what Suttle discussed seeing: "The self-discipline required - and self-confidence developed - during the flight training experience will help mold a stronger, more successful individual," the scholarship homepage reads.

This certainly proves true for Landen Kincart, who will be able to solo due to his James C. Ray Scholarship. His mother Julie Kincart raved about the scholarship fund, and Ray's generosity.

"He believed in these students so much," she said. "The opportunities out here are tremendous."

As a Lakeland resident, an officer for 11 years, and the SRO for two, Suttle would love to see the school get bigger and reach more students. Attending graduation and seeing students he had known through the school graduate with skills that translate directly to the workforce was an incredibly rewarding experience, one that he would like to see others have access to.

"I want all of them to go out and do great things," he said.

FMI: https://www.cfaaf.com/application.html