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Tomorrow's Needs; Today's Challenges. Annual AviationEducation Forum (1st, Washington, D.C., June 18,1993). Edited Proceedings.Opportunity Skyway, Inc., College Park, MD.;Partnership for Training and Employment Careers,Washington, DC.AHT-100-2-9418 Jun 9332p.

Opportunity Skyway, 6709 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive,College Park Airport, College Park, MD 20740(free).

Collected Works Conference Proceedings (021)

MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.*Aviation Education; *Career Education; *EducationalNeeds; *Labo_ Force Development; Lifelong Learning;.*Partnerships in Education; School BusinessRelationship; Secondary Education; *TechnologicalAdvancement

These proceedings contain edited.versions of thepapers presented at a 1-day forum on aviation education that focusedon the need for programs such as Opportunity Skyway, which introducesjob possibilities in aeronautics to middle and high school students.In the foreword, Carlton Spitzer emphasizes the need for partnershipswith the aviation industry and work force development community inpreparing youth for employment in aviation against the background ofrapid technological advances. The following papers are included:"Share Reality with Students" (Knight); "The Critical Need forCollaboration" (Puhalia); "Lifelong Learning Will Ease the Pain"(Halperin); "Manpower Needs in Aviation" (Strickler); "Summary"(White); and "The Charge" (Puhalla). The commentary "Theater asClassroom" (Olanoff) is presented along with severalreactions/commentaries to the Puhalla, Halperin, and Stricklerpapers. Appended are the conference agenda, biographies of theconference's 22 participants, and selected participant commentsregarding their reasons for participating in the conference. (MN)

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Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be madefrom the original document.

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TOMORROW'S NEEDS;TODAY'S CHALLENGES

First AnnualAviation Education Forum

June 18, 1993

Edited Proceedings

U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION(..9/CENTER (ERIC)

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"Reprinted with permission byFAA Aviation Education Division"

AHT-100-2-94

"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THISMATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY

TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATON CENTER (ERIC)

TOMORROW'S NEEDS;TODAY'S CHALLENGES

First Annual Aviation Education ForumJune 18, 1993

Sponsored by

OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY, Inc.

and

The Partnership For Training& Employment Careers, Inc.

By Invitation

The National Press ClubWashington, D.C.

Proceedings printed by

The Aviation Education OfficeFederal Aviation Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation.

Forum co-sponsored by

Opportunity Skyway, Inc.Carlton E. Spitzer, President

College Park Airport6709 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive

College Park, MD 20740Phone: 301/864-0673

Fax: 301/864-0849

The Partnership for Training & Emplcyment CareersCynthia Davis, Executive Director

1620 Eye Street NWWashington, DC 20006-4005

Phone: 202/887-6120Fax: 202/887-8216

42

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword, Carlton E. Spitzer Page 5

Keynote Address, Theodore Robinson Page 7

Commentary on Workforce Development, Robert Knight Page 8

Critical Need for Collaboration, Joseph T. Puha Ila Page 9

Lifelong Learning Will Ease the Pain, Dr. Samuel Halperin Page 11

Panel Reaction, Page 12

Dr. Cynthia DavisDr. Jeff AdamsJim BurrussLawrence Brown, Esq.John Valenzano

Commentary, Theater as Classroom, Hannah Olan.)ff Page 14

Manpower Needs In Aviation, Dr. Mervin K. Strickler Page 16

Commentary, Page 19

Lawrence Burian,Phillip S. WoodruffDavid SwitzerTyson Whi`PsideJanette M. PrinceJohn GogliaWarren H. Wheeler

Summary, Arthur H. White

The Charge, Joseph T. Puhalla

Addendlx:June 18 AgendaBiographical Data on Speakers, Reactors, PanelistsComments of Participants and Invited Guests

3

Page 23

Page 24

Page 25Page 27Page 30

FOREWORD

Carlton E. SpitzerFounder and President

OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY, Inc.

TODAY WE JOIN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY and the workforce development commu-nity in planning for an uncertain future. Transportation systems change as thetechnology advances. No one can accurately forecast the precise configura-tion of tomorrow's intermodel transportation systems, or the exact kinds of em-ployment opportunities those systems will provide.

What is certain is that only educated and trained workers will be welcomein a high technology system, and that we must motivate and prepare today'syouth for tomorrow's technology. All youth. Especially minority, disadvantagedand disabled youth who are woefully underrepresented in our ranks. Ourefforts must be serious, cohesive and focused.

Some of the distinguished participants in this forum are in a position toinitiate sweeping changes in the way we prepare today's youngsters for tomor-row's jobs. All of us should support their initiatives in the public and privatesectors. And each of us, in our own circle of influence, where we live and work,can make a difference. I trust we will.

For a half century I have been witness, with many in this room, to the highintelligence and courage of pilots and all those who keep them in the air. In thepact three years, since forming OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY with Joe PuhaIla, I

have appreciated even more fully and pe, sonally the caring and concern ofpilots and aviation workers at every level throughout the industry. On May 15this year, for example, 65 volunteer pilots - many of whom rented aircraft at theirown expense - flew more than 100 students and teachers to and from ourannual Aviation Careers Fly-in. Other supporters, in every field of aviation, inthe air and on the ground, serve as mentors to students and partners toteachers.

In addition, members of The Partnership for Training and EmploymentCareers, the Private Industry Councils, and their colleagues throughoutworkforce development have demonstrated their partnership with aviation. I

have come to know and value their work, and we are honored to co-sponsorthis forum with The Partnership For Training And Employment Careers.

We have much work to dc.

That one million youngsters drop out of school every year in the UnitedStates of America is everyone's tragedy, everyone's challenge. The best andthe brightest can be discovered among those one million dropouts, if we reachout and include them in our plans.

65

Edited Keynote Address

HOW DID WE GET WHERE WE ARE?HOW SHOULD WE BUILD FOR TOMORROW?

Theodore RobinsonAviation Historian

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

Too MANY YOUNGSTERS lose their way in Our society.Their misguided compass points them to trouble andunemployment, and puts our whole ilation off course.

Alternative educational programs, and supplementalprograms, such as OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY, are

therefore absolutely essential to help these young-sters stay in school, develop an interest in learning,

and begin to focus on careers of choice. Ournational welfare depends on the success of such pro-

grams.

OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY is focused chiefly, notexclusively, on motivating and preparing minority, dis-

advantaged and disabled youngsters for work and

citizenship.

Why is it necessary for us to focus on these

populations?

One has only to consider the current underrepre-

sentation of minorities and women throughoutaviation to answer that question.

We got where we are, ladies and gentlemen, be-

cause of neglect, indifference, discrimination, miscon-ception. We've come a long way toward reconcilingthose injustices and slights, not only for those of-fended, but for the nation itself. But the statisticsdemonstrate that we have a long way to go.

Less than one percent of airline pilots flying

today are African American. Perhaps two percent are

women. And if it had not been for the courageousAfrican American aviation pioneers who showed usthe way after World War I, and the Civilian PilotTraining Program at the beginning of World War ll

that opened the doors to African Americans toreceive flight training, we might not be talking about

even one percent or two percent minorities and

women in aviation in 1993. We owe much to those

early leaders.

Despite formidable barriers and blatant discrimi-nation, pioneers such as Bessie Coleman, August

7

Martin, Cornelius Coffey, Chief Anderson, Marlin

Greene, John Greene, and many others, demon-strated by their performance that African Americanscould learn to fly as well as any other group of citi-

zens, and that they richly deserved access to theaviation industry and the respect and admiration of

their peers and neighbors.

Today's students must see that learning has a

real payoff. That hitting the books today really pre-pares them for work tomorrow. School-to-work initia-

tives, apprenticeship programs, summer groundschools, internships, job shadowing, tours of aviation

facilities, role-model speakers, career nights, caringmentors, and realistic, hands-on curriculum can make

a world of difference.

We see the positive results of these kinds of ac-

tivities at every OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY affiliate site.

Kids who said they wanted to drop out of school not

only stay in school but develop an interest in learning

skills useful in the workplace. More than half of theyoungsters who graduate from high school do not go

on to college. Unless we prepare them for work, they

are likely to be numbered among the million dropouts, the lost generation whose compass steers them

to despair and tragedy.

We can change the pattern. We can set a true

course for most of these youngsters if we will. Thisforum is designed to bring workforce development,education, and aviation together so that we mightplan together for the future of our youth. Let us todaypledge to each other the cooperation and partnershipthat is required to fix the compass.

7

Edited Comments on Workforce Development

SHARE REALITY WITH STUDENTS

Robert KnightExecutive Director

National Association of Private industry Councils, Inc.

IN TERMS OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, America hasbeen running downhill for twenty years, since the mid1970s. Our vision is out of sync with reality. We seeka diverse, educated, mobile workforce to meet theneeds of an expanding economy. What we have is adivided workforce, largely unprepared for advancingtechnology, trying to find a place in a shrinkingeconomy. The gap widens daily between those whohave and those who have not. The gap also widensbetween the technically skilled - people ready toassume responsibility in the Information Society - andthe technically illiterate who still seek basic jobs in adisappearing Industrial Society.

It is clear we need new and innovative investmentin workforce development, relevant to the changingworkplace, and that we must have the full involve-ment of American industry in the process. Today'syoungsters must see that learning has a real payoff.That is why we must bring school and work closertogether. We need to see employers in the class-room on a regular basis, and students on the job partof the time. We need models we can replicate inurban centers and rural communities. OPPORTUNITYSKYWAY provides one such model.

First, it provides an industry-specific coalition ap-proach that other industries can mirror. Second, itshands-on, realistic bridging of classroom toworkplace deserves serious review by all employerswho wish to assist educators in preparing work readygraduates - whatever job or profession the graduatehas in mind.

OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY promotes enthusiasm inthe classroom, among students and teachers. Ittrains teachers to use aviation to help teach math,science, history, geography and other subjects, thusmaking course work job relevant.

Students who seek to fly the airplane and stu-dents who seek to handle baggage are equally en-couraged and assisted in their ambitions. There are

8

no unimportant jobs in aviation, the program empha-sizes, and all ambitions are treated with respect,dignity and helpfulness.

That is the model we need to replicate; one thatemphasizes the ioy and satisfaction that can befound in doing any job well, and becoming a respon-sible employee or entrepreneur, as well as a respon-sible citizen.

Moreover, industry-specific involvement assuresthe availability of informed, highly-motivated role-model speakers and mentors, relevant tour sites,professional materials and expert guidance inrelating curriculum to the workplace.

A White Paper (edited)

THE CRITICAL NEED FOR COLLABORATION

Joseph T. Puha liaPresident

The Partnership For TrainingAnd Employment Careers, Inc.

EDUCATORS, workforce development professionalsand business leaders have the responsibility ofworking together to create a system that ensures ouryouth the skills training to compete in an ever chang-ing marketplace. The need for collaboration is

apparent and compelling.

A 1983 study by the Conference Board concludedthat fewer than one in ten large United States corpora-tions hire new high school graduates. Yet half of ourgraduates do not go on to college and urgently need

on-the-job skills training. Industry indifference gives

the youth of competing nations Germany and Japanincluded a five-to-ten year head start in gaining sig-nificant occupational training, and eliminates whatshould be a natural line of communication betweenour employers and secondary schools. Student in-centives to stay in school, relate learning to work, and

focus on career possibilities are seriously under-

mined.

What price do we pay for minimum involvement of

business in our high schools? Although numerousstudies verify that while most of today's jobs demandpost-secondary skills training, they do not require acollege degree. But big companies still erroneouslyequate higher degrees with higher performance onthe job. Skills necessary for companies to compete,

and for high school graduates to be employed, are

not even being identified and communicated tosecondary school educators and workforce develop-

ment personnel.

This communications gap is having a majorimpact on the fortunes of all youth, and especially ourminority and disadvantaged yout... Only 57 percent of

African-American youths with a high school diplomaare employed in any kind of job, compared with 79percent of white youths. Only 29 percent of AfricanAmerican youths who have dropped out of school are

employed.

Fortunately, we are not without models to help us

transition to effective school-to-work programs acrossthe nation. Three come to mind:

9

* In Prince George's County, Maryland, highschool seniors were trained in geographic in-formation systems in school-to-work programs.The employer helped to develop the curricu-lum.

* A local hospital prepared high school studentsto become EEG and EMG technicians in aschool-to-work program administered by aprivate industry council. Occupational needswere verified before training began, and em-ployment of successful trainees was all butassured.

* OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY, Inc., which started inPrince George's County as a hands-on sum-mer learning experiment in 1990, is now anational, industry-specific year round programbecause it skillfully relates employer andemployee needs and aspirations, and fullyengages industry executives as planners,mentors, curriculum advisers, and school-to-work advocates.

These programs work, in my view, because they

are industry-specific, with industry fully involved in cur-riculum development and training methodologies, with

course material related to job requirements, identifiedat the start, and measured at completion of thetraining. Further, job availability is determined at the

start, and each school-to-work activity involves busi-

ness, education and workforce development person-nel. Personnel are tied to the program as members of

an advisory committee, and industry representativesare engaged in the actual training. The standards ofthe job , the industry, and the particular company arerespected and met. Youths who measure up arehired at competitive entry-level wage levels.

Success, therefore, is determined by involving the

particular industry, defining measurable skills at the

start, and determining the availability of jobs if stu-

dents measure up.

9

Our challenge at this forum is to identify programswhich ensure the availability of skilled, motivatedworkers in the aviation industry. Clearly, our model isOPPORTUNITY SKYWAY, which, in three years, hasbecome a state-of-the-art, industry-specific program.

It has a distinguished board of directors, a helpfulvolunteer committee, formal partnerships with majoraviation and workforce development organizations,and affiliate programs that address local needs andaspirations while maintaining national goals andstandards.

It has diverse curricula, from entry-level job prepa-ration to flight training. OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY intro-duces the whole range of job possibilities in aeronau-tics to middle school and high school students, andhelps prepare them for those careers. It providestraining and orientation flights for teachers andcounselors, summer internships, and private pilotground schools for students who are prepared toundertake that challenge. And it is emphasizingschool-to-work initiatives at all of its affiliate sites,focusing chiefly on aviation technology.

At-risk students who enrolled in its start-upprogram in 1990 are now in college, military service,and the workplace. Students enrolled in its currentprograms enjoy innovations developed during thepast three years, including an exciting Theater AsClassroom workshop designed to bring history alive,especially aviation history, with a strong focus on thecontributions of minorities and women.

In my opinion, this aviation model deserves thesupport and involvement of every aviation andworkforce development organization. The Partnershipfor Training and Employment Careers, and theNational Association of Private Industry Councils areenthusiastic and dedicated advocates of OPPORTU-NITY SKYWAY. And, as you know, partnerships havebeen signed with many aviation organizations, includ-ing the Federal Aviation Administration, the AircraftOwners and Pilots Association, the National Associa-tion of State Aviation Officials, the Tuskegee Airmen,Inc., the Organization of Black Airline Pilots, the CivilAir Patrol, and chapters of Negro Airmen Internationaland the Air Force Association.

Affiliate programs are operating in middle schoolsand high schools in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylva-nia, Georgia, Nevada and California. Additionalaffiliates will start up this year in Massachusetts, NorthCarolina, Virginia, Kansas and Louisiana.

But if we are to step up to the challenge of prepar-ing today's youth for tomorrow's careers in aviation,much more must be done.

First, we must identify funds so that additional re-search and development can be accomplished tostrengthen and diversify the model for replication andmodification in urban centers and rural communities.

Second, even stronger ties to the aviation commu-nity must be forged. The aviation community musttake a leadership role in strengthening and expandingOPPORTUNITY SKYWAY. It is essential that major aircarriers as well as fixed base operators understandtheir stake in the success of OPPORTUNITY SKYWAYand embrace the effort nationally and regionally.

Third, workforce development officials must helpindustry establish training programs and measure-ment systems. As collaborators in common cause,we must agree on the training plans at the start,confer throughout, and concur on the measurementof job-readiness upon completion of the training.

We have an unparalleled opportunity to build onthe solid base OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY has created,and we can move forward with only modest funding.

As Dr. Samuel Halperin has emphasized, thisnation needs to build an effective education andtraining system, and avoid creation of underfundeddemonstration programs.

OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY has demonstrated its ef-fectiveness. It has established the model. Now all ofus must come together from aviation and workforcedevelopment to take full advantage of what exists, tohu'ld on this model in the best interests of our youth,our industry and our nation.

The pioneering spirit that characterizes theaviation industry can and should lead the wiy. It is ofthe utmost urgency that we commit ourselves to thetask of identifying resources to build the future.Success requires unwavering commitment and agenuine collaboration between the leaders in aviationand the leaders in workforce development.

Emphasis on "Learn To Earn" philosophies andmethodologies are needed. Collaboration is requisite.Fragmentation and duplication are the barriers to betorn down.

10

111

1 0

r 1

Comment on paper delivered by Joseph T.Puhalla

LIFELONG LEARNING WILL EASE THE PAIN

Samuel Halperin, Ph.D.Director

American Youth Policy Forum

IN CONSIDERING THE PROBLEMS OF OUR TIME, we tend tothink too often about "them" and not "us." There isenough pain to go around these days. People areworking harder and earning less. More poor people aregetting even poorer. Our children are less likely to bebetter off economically than their parents, often even ifthey earn a college degree.

We have been exporting jobs and trying to adjust toan increasingly automated and instaimentedworkplace. The Information Society has overtaken theIndustrial Society and, yet, we continue to train ouryouth for the careers of the past, not of the future.

Is a youngster really better off with a high school di-ploma? Statistics say yes, rather emphatically. But theconcomitant reality is that even a high school diplomadoes not carry a youngster very far. Postsecondaryskills training is absolutely necessary to survive intoday's technical work environment. The real answerwe must face, nay, grasp and work toward, is lifelonglearning for all citizens. Our workers, just as the work-ers who compete with them around the world, mustconstantly upgrade their skills, and often learn newskills, simply to keep pace with change and remainuseful employees and entrepreneurs.

For too long in this country we have viewed acollege degree as a pre-requisite for success. If a manor woman did not have a four-year degree they were anobody; second class. In short, we have been sayingthat 75 percent of our citizenry is second class. And inpromoting that fiction, we have been downgrading thedignity and power of all kinds of useful work requiringless than a four-year diploma.

Our job, here today, and every day, individually andcollectively, is to restore and revere the dignity of work.All useful work. And to concentrate, in collaboration, ontraining our youth realistically for tomorrow's jobs andresponsibilities. The aviation and workforce develop-ment groups represented here today at the NationalPress Club must play key roles in that vital mission.

Joe Puha Ila has said we need models for replica-

tion and modification. I agree with Joe that OPPORTU-

NITY SKYWAY is one of those models. Why? Becauseit builds on good, sound research; it is clearly part ofthe solution to the problems we recognize; it preparesyoungsters for good jobs, and in the process, producesgood people. It restores our respect for all work, at alllevels. It dignifies all work. In so doing, it keeps young-sters motivated, teachers involved, and makes busi-ness a necessary and esteemed partner.

The Clinton Administration seeks to build partner-ships. OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY presents a splendidpartnership which unites aviation and education withworkforce development. Government and businessshould be supporting OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY andprograms like it through school-to-employment initia-

tives.

Dollars spent to fully develop OPPORTUNITY SKY-WAY will be dollars well spent.

One of OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY's most vital fea-tures, in my view, is its emphasis on continuing adultrole-modeling and mentoring relationships with young-sters. Kids tell us they really want such relationshipsand nurturing. The fact is they do need and welcomeguidance. The evidence is they do listen and respond.OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY involves caring adults in thelives of students who may be struggling with theiridentify, self-esteem, self-confidence. The adults whoshare that struggle show that there is a brighter worldout there for students who make the effort to learn. Theadults do not say it is an easy road to travel, only that itis a road worth traveling, and offering rewards for thosewho do their best; for those who get a high schooldiploma and then acquire the technical and administra-tive skills they need through post-secondary training.

I hope that much of our future on-the-job trainingwill begin in high school in shool-to-employmentprograms like that modeled by OPPORTUNITY SKY-

WAY.

OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY has pointed the way. Ourjob, I believe, is to make this program succeed on anational scale.

11 1

COMMENTSPanelists respond to paper delivered by Joseph T. Puha Ila

and the comments of Samuel Halperin, Ph.D.

I HAVE JUST RETURNED from visiting schools andworkforce development programs on the West side ofChicago and the South and West sides of Buffalo, andit is my firm belief that the future of this nation in largemeasure depends on the future of youths in thosekinds of neighborhoods. We must prepare today'syoung people for tomorrow's jobs, otherwise I assureyou they will find some means of making money.

Yes, we surely need new, innovative partnershipsbetween local schools and local employers. Yes, weneed exciting and practical scnool-to-employmentprograms - perhaps made exciting because theyreally are practical and actually provide employment.But most of all, ladies and gentlemen, we need a fun-damental change in our attitude about work andpreparing people for work.

We ask the schools to be more fiexible and work-oriented. And they should be. But we must also askourselves, no, demand of ourselves that same flexibil-ity and open-mindedness in our places of work, and inthe trade associations we manage. Revampingeducation and initiating school-to-work programs isnot a one way street. Joe Puha Ila is right: we needhonest collaboration in the national interest as neverbefore. And we have a starting point in aviation.

OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY is the most amazingvolunteer effort I've ever been associated with in my20 years in workforce development. It can move usforward.

Lawrence Brown, Esq., PresidentWAVE, Inc., Washington, D.C.

12

CALIFORNIA HAS LED THE WAY in school-to-work initia-tives through its Regional Occupational Programs -which have been expanding in terms of geographyand diversity for more than 20 years. There is notuition. And adults needing to change jobs or up-grade skills are included as well as youngsters insecondary school.

For many years we have been conducting ourtraining at employer sites and in community facilitiesas well as in the classroom. The programs servestudents age 16 and over, adults, as well as manydisadvantaged and minority youth.

Teachers must have a minimum of five years ofexperience in the field they teach. For example,David Switzer, who taught the aviation course at PalmSprings High School last year, is a retired Navy pilotand FAA official. The ROP focus is on getting andkeeping a job. In preparing curriculum for approval inSacramento, we spend time observing workers onthe job, and interviewing workers and their supervi-sors. When employers come to the classroom theyexplain the rules of the workplace to students, andthose rules are followed in the classroom and on thejob. This is precisely what Dave Switzer and I did increating the aviation curriculum: we interviewed andobserved almost every worker in almost every capac-ity at Palm Springs Airport, conferred with employersLibout future job openings, and prepared coursematerial based on work standards.

The direct involvement of business is absolutelynecessary. Teachers must have direct, candid, on-going contact with employers to remain current onworkplace needs and changes. We also have tovalidate the job market. We don't want to spend timetraining people for jobs that don't exist, or won't exist.So job forecasting in cooperation with industries andindividual companies is important.

We were pleased to affiliate with OPPORTUNITYSKYWAY in Palm Springs, California because itsprogram and partners make it credible and practical.

1 2

It motivates youngsters to stay in school and develop

an interest in learning which they can immediatelyrelate to the world of work.

Jim Burruss, CoordinatorRegional Occupational Programs

Riverside County, California

DELIVERY SYSTEMS MUST CHANGE because theworkplace is changing. Our nation is changing. For

example, more than 45 percent of high school gradu-ates on Maryland's Eastern Shore do not go tocollege. The economy is down. Jobs are scarce. A

recent advertisement for employment in that arearesulted in 4500 applicants for less than 200 jobs. Soopportunities are fewer and demands are greater.Does this mean that we should be encouraging all

students to seek four-year college degrees? The

answer is a resounding no.

Why? Because 70 percent of jobs forecast in the

year 2001 will not require a college degiee. Whattoday's youth must learn is flexibility. Technical flexi-

bility. Computer skills. General technical competencethat can be modified and applied to a changingworkplace. Indeed, today's students will likely be

required to change jobs, even careers, once, twice or

several times.

So our whole way of thinking about school andwork needs revision. Industry must be education'spartner, with workforce development, in charting a

new course in school-to-work programming.

OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY works so well because it

provides hands-nn experiences for youngsters andtheir teachers during the school year, and specialincentive programs, such as private pilot groundschool, during the summer months. Given features

like its annual student-teacher aviation careers fly-in todifferent airports in Maryland, and its theatre as class-

room project, which focuses on role-playing and work-shops that bring history alive, one can understandwhy OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY excites and motivatesstudents and teachers alike.

John ValenzanoVocational and Technical EducationMaryland Department of Education

Baltimore, Maryland

HAVING INDUSTRY AS A PARTNER helps us stress qualityperformance and high work standards. We conduct 18different vocational and technical programs in ourregion, and in each field we develop an integratedcurriculum of school and work that prepares our stu-dents academically and practically for employment c.,advance study.

With OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY, we have startedthe first vocational-technical seco.- Jary school aviationprogram in Delaware, and it is off to a good start underthe supervision of Harry Batty, Jr., a former Air Forcepilot who earned his teaching certificate several yearsago.

We are teaching youngsters to fly, using thefacilities at Sussex County Airport, and preparing otherstudents for non-flying careers. We expect to add onfeatures as we expand and move forward.

Our initial year was a good one. The goal is tohave the individual student fulfill his or her potential.Many of our students will go on to advance training.Some will go directly into the workforce or militaryservices. Others, who may not have consideredcollege initially, will be persuaded to do so.

13 13

Dr. Jeff Adams, SuperintendentKent Polytech

Woodside, Delaware

THEATER AS CLASSROOM

IN FEBRUARY, 1991, OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY brought12 of its students and two teacher-mentors from Du ValHigh School in Lanham, Maryland to a performance ofBlack Eagles, a play about the famed (racially segre-gated) Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. Their remark-able performance in escorting bombers with theirfighter planes over Africa, Italy and Germany withoutlosing one, made these African American pilots alegend in their own time.

Presented at the Ford's Theater in Washington,D.C., the matinee performance was preceded byamorning workshop for students from all over the Wash-ington metropolitan area. Hannah Olanoff of TheFord's Theater, and her colleagues conducted theworkshop.

The event made a profound impression on theOPPORTUNITY SKYWAY students, many of whom wereattending a live theater performance for the first time.OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY organizers resolved that dayto incorporate drama to teach aviation history, with em-phasis on the contributions of women and minorities.

OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY Theater was introducedduring the luncheon at the June 18 Forum at theNational Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Ca leen Sinnette-Jennings wrote and performed amonologue on the life of Bessie Coleman, a renownedAfrican American aviation pioneer. And young actorsstudying with Ms. Jennings also performed mono-logues written by her about Tuskegee Airmen, BessieColeman as a young girl, and a young man yearning tofly.

Doris L. Rich, author of a new book on BessieColeman, Queen Bess, also spoke. The following areexcerpts of statements delivered on that occasion byMs. Jennings, Ms. Olanoff and Ms. Rich.

14

BESSIE DREAMED about what is going on here today,that black women would be prepared for careers inaviation, and welcomed. She knew even in the 1920sthat aviation would become a transportation industry.Yes, she was bad, as youngsters would say today.Brave and courageous and sometimes outrageous. Aleader. A pioneer. Her spirit is here in this roomtoday.

Doris L RichAuthor, Queen Bess

OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY helped The Ford's Thea-ter's inaugurate its Opening Acts Workshops on acold February morning in 1991. Our objective thenand now is to explore and experiment, to help stu-dents gain a greater understanding of theater and itspower.

In February, 1991 the newspapers were full ofstories of war and pending conflicts; of the experi-ences of minorities in military service, and of a play atThe Ford's Theater, "Black Eagles," which hadattracted President Bush and General Colin Powell tothe historic theater where Lincoln was shot as he satin his box watching a play. What better time to launchour workshops?

We filled the orchestra level with middle schooland high school youngsters from the area, and ourworkshop focused not on the play, but on life inAmerica in the late 1930s and early 1940s, so thatstudents might put the play in the context of thosetimes and increase their understanding of history, andthe remarkable achievements of the Tuskegee Airmendepicted in the play.

We encouraged the students that day to becomeFranklin Delano Roosevelt, A. Philip Randolph, andTuskegee Airmen. They read news clippings of thattime, and correspondence. Through this role playingthey learned about segregation; they walked in theshoes of their parents and grandparents; they learnedabout our nation's progress in race relations, andwere reminded of how far the nation still has to go toachieve full equality.

Three years later, we continue to partner with OP-PORTUNITY SKYWAY. We share OPPORTUNITY

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SKYWAY's conviction - a conviction long held at TheFord's Theater - that drama is a powerful teachingtool. We were pleased to introduce Ca leen Sinnette-Jennings to OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY, and pleasedeven more that she is now directing OPPORTUNITYSKYWAY Theater. One day, we trust, a performanceof OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY Theater will be producedin partnership with us and presented at The Ford'sTheater. Students should have such dreams topursue. And this is one that can come true.

Hannah OlanoffThe Ford's TheaterWashington, D.C.

AN OLD CHINESE PROVERB reminds US that what weread we tend to forget; what we hear we remembersomewhat, but what we do we understand. Thepower of theatrical performance cannot be overstated,especially for the performer. Engaging youngsters in

theater can bring history alive, make historical charac-ters breathe, even transform lives of the actors.

Aviation and theater may seem unlikely compan-ions. But we have demonstrated conclusively throughworkshops with students and teachers at Forestvilleand Du Val High Schools in Maryland that even themost reticent youngster becomes more confident andarticulate when asked to step into a new world, aworld of role playing and character research.

I was astounded to see and hear young studenisat Forestville High School perform for the first timethree aviation oriented monologues I wrote. They had

only minutes to read the words and imagine them-selves in the roles. They performed movingly andwith skills they hadn't known they possessed.

I was convinced anew that drama can be life

changing; that becoming someone else, even for alittle while, can challenge old beliefs, spread a stu-dent's wings, and permit him or her to rise above theirlimitations. That is why theater is so helpful tominority and disadvantaged youngsters. They canexplore and envision themselves in new and positive

ways. They can discover new values.

'.PPORTUNITY SKYWAY Theater, a componentof OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY, Inc., is designed to buildstudent confidence, oral skills, and understanding of

the power of the human spirit. As the Chinese prov-erb tells us, to do is to understand. But reading alsois requisite in theater. One must study the situation,

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the environment, the character. One must read, com-prehend and rehearse. Theater as classroom helpsthe individual student to understand himself or herselfand to gain new perspectives on the world aroundthem.

Ca leen Sinnette-JenningsAssociate Professor, Theater Department

The American UniversityWashington, D.C.

Performances by Ca leen Sinnette-Jennings and her young actors onJune 18 received standing ovations.

OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY workshops forteachers (to help teachers use dramato teach) and students continuethroughout the school year.

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A White Paper

MANPOWER NEEDS IN AVIATION

Dr. Mervin K. Strickler, Jr.Aviation Education Consultant

OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER, Ted Robinson, gave us agood history lesson. It is important to understand ourpast so that we might create a better tomorrow.Permit me to add on to Ted's lesson, and thensuggest some ways we might do better. This Forumprovides a fine start.

The first significant aviation manpower study in theUnited States was done after World War I, in the mid-twenties when the Army expressed new interest inmilitary aviation. Aviation was then part of the ArmySignal Corps. The study determined there were onlyabout 200 experienced pilots, 25 percent of whomhad two or more years of college education. Well, theArmy needed exactly 25 pilots, so it recruited the 25with college training who, indeed, proved to besuccessful military aviators.

So it was that the Army, from that time forward,required all flight candidates to have a minimum oftwo years of college. Did the criteria make sense?No. It simply and conveniently matched a numberthe Army had in mind, which became a requirement.This is not to say, of course, that we should not en-courage pilots to achieve a higher education, but onlyto say that the original criteria was created bychance, not objectively, and later was accepted as if ithad been determined through objective analysis.The rationale was a myth. That's history.

The Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Fund alsoemerged in the mid-twenties, the largest single pro-moter of aviation education, referred to in those daysas aeronautics. The Fund's objective was to improvepublic understanding and appreciation of the impor-tance of aviation.

The Fund provided support for colleges and uni-versities to establish aviation programs; encouragedsafety procedures; funded aeronautical teacher work-shops; encouraged aircraft model building in theschools; published guides for aeronautical education,elementary through secondary school; promoted thedevelopment of commercial aircraft; and encouragedthe use of aircraft by business, industry and othergroups in society.

Indeed, much of the progress in civil aviation in theUnited States in the 1920s and 1930s was generated

by the remarkable vision and philanthropic support ofthe Guggenheim families.

Wit.iout minimizing the vast contributions of barnstorming pilots arid pioneering aviators and inventorsof the 1920s and 1930s, permit me to jump forward inhistory to 1939 and the advent of the Civilian PilotTraining Program, the largest pilot training programever carried out in the United States. Inaugurated byPresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt on December 17,1938, the program continued through 1944.

It compiled a monumental record. Starting in 1939in just 13 colleges with 330 students who receivedground school courses with college credit and mini-mum flight training, the CPTP by 1944 was operatingin 1132 colleges and universities and training 435,165candidates, including modest numbers of women andAfrican-Americans. And 1,460 private aviation con-tractors provided the flight training.

You've all heard of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, thesegregated squadron of Tuskegee-trained airmenattached to the 33rd Fighter Group which establishedsuch a remarkable record in combat as part of the12th Air Force in Africa and Italy in World War II. TheCPTP got most of these African-American heroesstarted in aviation. Before that time, it was difficultindeed for any African-American, no matter how highlymotivated or prepared, to obtain civilian flight training.Tuskegee in Alabama was the principal training base,although other historic black colleges participated inthe CPTP program, including Howard, Delaware state,Hampton, North Carolina Ag-Tech, and West VirginiaState.

Women who successfully completed the flighttraining, most of whom enrolled at Lake Erie College,Ade lphi, Nil Is College and Florida State, were notpermitted to enter the military. These women, andothers who had learned to fly on their own, served asinstructors and as ferry pilots, delivering combataircraft all over the United States. They also towedtargets for gunnery practice, and flew courier mis-sions. These talented and courageous women pavedthe way for women to serve as airline pilots later on.

There was another significant and often over-looked aviation program that came out of World WarII: pre-flight aeronautics courses for high school

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credit offered in more than 16,000 secondary schoolsbetween 1941 and 1945. By sad comparison, in 1970,

less than 7 percent of our high schools offered any

kind of aviation program. The decline reflects, I be-lieve, a lack of awareness among policy-makers of therole aviation education can play in facilitating learning.

What evidence exists to support the premise that

the study of aviation can contribute to learning?

The landmark study, Learning Through Aviation,

reports on a program conducted during the 1967

1968 school year in Roosevelt Junior High School inRichmond, California. Basically, the study reports onan experiment which used a light, single-engineairplane to generate instructional and behavioralchanges among students in an inner-city, disadvan-taged area. Twenty-five 13-year-old boys, theirparents or family members; four teachers, two flyinginstructors, and a college student-tutor made up theexperimental group, which was matched with acontrol group of similar students in the same area.

Would the program increase student motivation,attendance, self-esteem, academic performance, andimprove students' perceptions of family members and

teachers?

The results of the Richmond study, the only oneof its kind ever undertaken, were startling, validatingthe usefulness of aviation to motivate and teach. Theexperiment changed the behavior, indeed the lives of

a:: the students who participated. The Richmondstudy provided a springboard for planning othersuccessful programs using aviation and later,aerospace - to stimulate, encourage, and direct youngpeople toward citizenship and useful careers.

Among those programs can be counted theAugust Martin High School on Long Island; theRandall Aerospace and Marine Science Program in

the Nation's Capital; Embry-Riddle University'sUpward Bound program in Daytona Beach; and Sky

Challenge for Teens, a program for youngsters with

psychiatric problems in Washington, D.C.

A few words about Sky Challenge. Spon-sored by the Aviation Education Division of theFederal Aviation Administration in 1979, in coopera-tion with the Psychiatric Institute Foundation, anddirected by Dr. Joseph R. Nave llo of the Center For

the Study of Human Factors, Psychiatric InstituteFoundation, the program studied the effects of a

specially designed flight training program on the be-

havior and school performance of teenagers who

were hospitalized with psychiatric problems.

It was the first study of its kind working with

patients 14 to 17 years of age, which incorporatedground school studies and dual flight instruction.

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George Banks, a well-known African-Americanteacher and flight instructor, served as one of thecourse instructors. He reported similar results amongstudents as those achieved in the Richmond study:increased self-esteem, self-confidence, trust, resis-tance to peer pressure, independent thinking, self-control, mastery of personal fears, communication,parental dialogue and mutual pride.

Wrote Dr. Novel lo: "Like the mythical JonathanLivingstone Seagull, Sky Challenge students can say:

There's a reason for life!We can lift ourselves out

of ignorance.We can find ourselves ascreatures of excellenceand intelligence and skill.

We can be free.We can fly.

Clearly, the OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY programsachieve similar behavior changes as these historicprograms I have outlined.

How can this evidence be applied to the pur-poses of this Forum - charting employment needs

and training methods?

Let me tell you about Myths, Realities, and Practi-calities.

In the past 30 years there have been four majoraviation manpower studies. In 1964 the FM. in coop-eration with industry, conducted a nation-wide studyof aviation manpower needs, known as Project Long

Look. In 1970 the United States Department of Labbrconducted a study of the needs for pilots and me-chanics in civil aviation, using the period 1967-1977as its base.

In 1981 the General Aviation Manufacturer's As-

sociation did an aviation manpower study, focusedespecially on the needs of general aviation. It was

titled: An Operating and Strategic Manpower Analysisand Plan for the General Aviation Industry.

In March of 1992 Congress requested the estab-lishment of a Blue Ribbon Panel to study the needs

for pilots and aviation maintenance technicians forthe next 20 years. The final report will be published

later this year.

All of these studies have a common element:when they were started there was a perception thatthere was or would be a shortage of aviation person-nel. And, in each instance, either during the study orshortly thereafter, it appeared that the original per-ceptions were either erroneous or that circumstanceshad changed. In brief, change was so swift and un-predictable that researchers often found themselves

saying, what shortage? There were other similaritiesas well, one might say constant themes which supportand reinforced long-held beliefs and understandings:

There is a need for:aviation education programs, projects,activities, teaching materials,

cooperation among organizations to advanceaviation studies in elementary, middle andhigh schools, and higher education;

more and better information for students,teachers, parents and workforce personnel ontraining and preparing youths for jobs in avia-tion, and the role aviation technicians play inthe industry;

increased awareness of the need to encour-age diversity anti pluralism in the industry, togive access to and prepare more wcmen andminorities to enter the industry at every level.

I think most of us would agree. But what is therealistic outlook for young people in 1993 who wish toprepare for a career in aviation, aerospace and trans-portation?

First, today's youth must face the fact they willlikaly change careers or specialties seven timesbefore they retire. Second, today's youth mustprepare for careers in intermodal transportation, notaviation. We are moving toward integrated transpor-tation systems in this country and throughout theworld in which all modes of transport will be coordi-nated and integrated for efficiency and economy.Therefore, tomorrow's transportation expert mustknow ground, rail, sea and air transportation, and howthey fit together.

Can aviation graduates get jobs? Transportationaccounts for 20 percent of our nation's total economy.Within transportation, aviation and aerospace repre-sent a very large part of this total. Jane or John Doegraduating today from an aerospace magnet schoolas an airframe and powerplant technician will have arough go. General aviation is down. Jobs are scarce.Air carriers are laying off, not hiring. But they may wellfind jobs in related industries, such as auto mechan-ics, while they search, and while the aviation industryclimbs out of its current slump.

They can keep up with changes in regulations byreading FAA materials. And they can keep their skillssharp by using tools and equipment properly, accept-ing responsibility for making repairs, and experiment-ing with composite materials. When jobs open inaviation, employers will appreciate the skills thesegraduates have acquired and honed.

Employers are also and rightfully interested in em-ployees who have confidence and assume responsi-bility. They want accountable employees.

A student who has passed an FM physical ex-amination and a written and practical examination inorder to fly an expensive aircraft solo has alreadydemonstrated several attributes important to employ-ers: intelligence, confidence, self-discipline, ability tofollow instructions, and to think on one's own. Thewait will be short and the outlook is much brighterthan the current employment situation.

Huge numbers of trained people are required to.keep an airplane flying and customers well served.Aviation educators should be working with schoolcounselors on a regular basis to emphasize thediversity of jobs within aviation. There are hundredsof fine carers to pursue in aviation other than piloting,air traffic controlling, and maintaining the aircraft andits avionics. People are needed to manage airportsand keep them secure; to manage and operateground services; to schedule pilots and dispatchflights, to service aircraft and maintain secure attrac-tive and secure airports.

Unless today's students prepare themselves nowfor tomorrow's opportunities in aviation, they won't beready when the industry is. The future looks bright forstudents willing to stay in school, learn skills, and plantheir future.

As for pilots, opportunities exist, and will expandamong air carriers, businesses, air taxi services, agri-cultural services, flight instructing, pipeline patrolling,wildlife and forestry management, and photographicmapping and other specialties. In 1990, there were134,856 professional pilots in these and related occu-pations. By 2003 analysts project a need for 40,000additional pilots,based on industry trends and retire-ments.

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As for maintenance technicians, it is predictedthere will be a need for 100,000 to 120,000 techni-cians by the year 2000, reflecting the need to maintainolder aircraft and accommodate new aircraft. Ashortage in technicians unless the industry, in coop-eration with education and workforce development,trains 65,000 to 85,000 new aviation technicians in theimmediate future.

Joe Puha Ila said it: today's youth, ai id today'seducators, must concentrate on learn to earn philoso-phies and methodologies.

There will be a bright future in aviation for thosewho prepare themselves now for the jobs of tomorrow.

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COMMENTARYon Dr. Strickler's Paper

THE FAA IS TOTALLY DEDICATED tO having the aviationindustry, education, and the workforce developmentcommunity in this nation working together in the long-term interests of our youth, our transportation sys-tems, and our country. We must have a vision for ourindustry and for aviation education, capture that vi-sion within the framework of a practical plan, andcommunicate that vision to the citizenry with skill andunwavering dedication.

This forum gives us a springboard. The NationalCoalition for Aviation Education, and all of its distin-guished member organizations, and The Partnershipfor Training & r.Z;iiployment Careers, working to-gether, provide the mechanism for bringing about agrand alliance among the decision-makers andpolicy-makers in our industry, in government, ineducation, and in workforce development to ensure acompetent, well-trained, diversified, pluralisticworkforce to meet tomorrow's needs.

Here today, we make a new beginning together. I

have no doubt that a year hence we will be able tomeasure real progress. The FAA is committed to thepurposes of this Forum.

Phillip S. WoodruffDirector, Aviation Education

Federal Aviation AdministrationU.S. Department of Transportation

THERE ARE MANY WONDROUS ROADBLOCKS in this city.One might say a willful myopia prevails. We becometrapped within our own false paradigm. It is high timewe created a new paradigm to welcome and adapt tochange, and thwart those who resist it with the tiredold defense: "That's the way we've always done it."

Merve Strickler has mentioned the CongressionalBlue Ribbon panel on which I serve. It didn t developovernight. It dates back to 1985; eight years ofplanning and talking. Congress said in 1985,"Hey,we've got a problem. If we don't act, we'regoing to have a shortage of pilots. Tell us what weshould do about it." Well, it was true we were trainingfewer military pilots, and many of those that had beentrained were departing the military and taking corpo-rate jobs.

So those of us who view pilots as a national re-source accepted our duties as members of the Com-mission, but the talking had run on and we didn't takeup our responsibilities until 1992. By then things hadchanged. My first comment to Admiral Busey andSenator McCain in presenting a preliminary reportwas to ask a question, "What shortage?"

The air carriers are down and consolidating. Busi-ness travel is being reduced as the economy contin-ues to stur ible. But, we quickly added to our ques-tion, "What shortage?", just wait a few years! Theturn of the century will bring enormous problems tothe industry and nation if we fail to train today's youthfor the jobs that will be available then. Our challengeis to stimulate a vision of what will be, and to convincethe citizenry that our economic struggle will pass, andcareer opportunities will await those who prepare andhave faith in America's future.

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We must continue to be aggressive in recruitingwomen and minorities into our ranks at every level, inevery occupational capacity. Not everyone wants tobe a pilot or technician, and we must emphasizehundreds of other exciting career possibilities inaviation. We must focus on teaching our studentshow to learn, how to study. If we instill in our youngpeople a desire to learn, a love of learning, they willIind their way in an uncertain marketplace, anddiscover their own aptitudes and interests.

Our task, in our wonderful flying industry, is toinspire people and motivate people and give themconfidence in tomorrow. The kinds of hands-on,experiential programs for youth we extol today areexactly the right medicine. We must give youngsters arealistic view of the workplace, of their career possibili-ties, and then stay with our youngsters throughhands-on activities and mentoring to get themthrough high school and on to advanced technicaltraining and four year colleges.

There are no unimportant jobs in aviation. Everyjob must be done well. Every job has dignity andmeaning. I am delighted that the industry is joiningforces with education and workforce development ona continuing basis to make sure we do this importantjob right.

Lawrence Burian, PresidentNational Air Transportation Association

THIS FORUM relates to the work of the National Coali-tion for Aviation Education. It deals with realities andpracticalities. It defines what associations and groupsmight be doing independently, and what they mightdo better collectively. It also deals with perception andsubstance. The worst thing in the world we could do isto build hopes and dreams for our young people andthen let them down, not be able to follow through.The task here today, and for all of us in the daysahead, is to build year-long mechanisms that not onlyexcite kids about careers in aviation, but sustain thatexcitement through practical instruction and realisticlinks with every facet of our industry.

The Aircraft Electronics Association brings 100kids at a time out to an airport for a day. It is a whaleof a day. They go flying, tour aircraft, talk with pilotsand airport managers, and learn a great deal.

But we don't have a follow-through mechanism tosustain the excitement we generate in that onewonderful day. OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY provides thecontinuing program all of us need in the schools,throughout the school year and summer, to build onour youth activities, and the youth activities of manyother aviation associations, such as the Youno Eaglesfirst flight program sponsored by the ExperimentalAircraft Association; the start-up program fostered byWright Flight; the established sumnier programs ofthe Civil Air Patrol, Tuskegee Airmen, and cthers.

OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY programs carry the ballevery day, 12 months a year, and coves every kind ofjob in aviation, from piloting the plane to cleaning it.As Larry Burian emphasized, there are no unimportantjobs in our industry. And whatever job may appeal toan individual youngster, he or she deserves help andencouragement to obtain the necessary training andfind their place in our industry, and in society itself.

Our job is to build a skilled workforce across thespectrum of job possibilities in aviation, and especiallyto identify careers on the upcurve so we can train ouryouth well for the jobs of tomorrow.

I see a leadership role in this process for the Na-tional Coalition for Aviation Education, working withThe Partnership for Training & Employment Careers,And I have great confidence that, together, we canand will make a significant contribution.

Tyson WhitesideChair, National Coalition for Aviation Education

Counsel, Aircraft Electronics Association

WE MUST EDUCATE THE PUBLIC and inform teachersand students. By public I mean the news media andlarge constituent groups. By education I mean teach-ers at all levels, from elementary through college. Themethodologies, I think, are pretty much in place withinaviation associations, and, collectively, through theNational Coalition for Aviation Education.

The guide produced for teachers by the Coalitionhas been well received. It is clear from teacher re-sponse at seminars and conferences, and through themail, that they are hungry for materials which can enli-ven their classrooms and motivate their students.

Through the dissemination of such materials, theindustry can convey to teachers, students andparents a more realistic view of the social and eco-nomic benefits our industry provides to the nation,and to the lives of all citizens. Knowledge sharedgenerates appreciation. And appreciation translatesinto more informed citizens when debates arisebetween airport and community.

I, too, am a believer in hands-on experiential pro-grams for youngsters and teachers. There is nothinglike a tour of an airport, discussion with enthusiasticand informed aviation officials, and a flight in a smallaircraft with a skilled pilot to stimulate interest andprovide a lasting experience. An experience to buildon. An experience that can literally change the lives ofstudents and alter the instructional methods of ourteachers.

AOPA's fly a teacher and fly a reporter programsprove the point. Our work with OPPORTUNITY SKY-WAY verifies results.

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We have a big story to tell: a $42 billion contribu-tion to our economy. And we want both the industryand the nation to grow and prosper. One can'tprosper without the help of the other. Nor can webring about a truly great aviation education programwithout enlisting our natural partners, as we are todayat this Forum. The goal is to work together over thelong haul. I agree with my colleagues: it is right andnece-sary that we excite the interest of our youngpeor le, but, as Tyson has said, it is also our obligationto p(ovide a continuing means of support and involve-ment. OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY is one program thatassures year-round activity, and I am pleased to serveas a member of its board of directors.

Janette M. PrinceSecretary, National Coalition for Aviation Education

Public Affairs, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

0

BACK IN 1960 aspiring pilots were told by the airlinesthat there were no opportunities and none were ex-pected. A few years later some of the big carriers wereaggressively recruiting first officers with minimumhours. Such is the roller coaster industry we live in.And so much for accurate forecasting.

My advice for young people today who aspire toenter aviation in any capacity is to train now and beprepared for tomorrow. If aviation is what you want, gofor it. There will be good jobs in the near future forthose who are trained and ready.

I think all of us should be a lot more concernedabout the economy of our nation and the world thanspecific jobs that may or may not be identifiable in thefuture configuration of transportation. Nations rise andfall on the stability of their economy. And economiesdepend in great measure on a well-education citi-zenry. The best educated win. Win jobs. Win competi-tively. Win internationally. Education is the key.

The world is changing based on our decliningeconomy. Once was that our exports of aircraft andaircraft parts made a major difference in maintaining ahealthy balance of trade. No more. When jobs goabroad, and manufacturing goes abroad, so do ourdollars. We have some big adjustments to make.

In this mix of concerns is the reality that minoritiesdo not hold top-level, policy-making jobs in aviation.That is why, in 1993, less than one percent of airlinepilots are African American. I doubt that statist;c willchange in any substantial way until and unless AfricanAme71cans rise to top management posts in greaternumber.

United Parcel Service does have several AfricanAmericans in management positions. More than fivepercent of UPS pilots are African American. Perhapsthe stats will improve across the board when the airtransportation industry begins to climb out of itsdiscouraging spiral. I'd surely like to see that happen.But my observation is that it won't occur even given astrong upturn without a conscious policy decision todo so. And as I said, I doubt that such policy deci-sions will be made without African American influence

at the board table.

So I would like to see two things happen: moreAfrican Americans promoted upstairs, and moreAfrican Americans hired in the cockpit and in everyother field of aviation.

This forum is asking the right questions. I hopethe movement it seeks to create can find the right

answers. I of course support and endorse all of thehands-on assistance we can provide to minority,

disadvantaged and disabled youngsters. That is theobligation of those of us who are earning our way inthis industry.

Warren H. WheelerPresident, WRA, Inc.

Chair, Virginia Aviation BoardCaptain, USAir

I AM A MECHANIC BY TRADE. As a union representative, Ibelieve my job is to help management do the rightthing. And one of the important things is the achieve-ment of diversity in the workplace and fairness to allemployees, at every level, in decision-making.

As I listened to the various presentations today, Irecalled the apprenticeships that flourished in aviationup to the 1960s. They were good and useful programs.People learned a skill and had a decent job. But ap-prenticeships simply disappeared.

The school-to-work initiatives discussed today maybring them back, or introduce a new version of the oldhands-on way of training and learning. I know that theIAM/AW , working with Northwest Airlines assistsemployees with prior technical experience to becomecertified as aviation technicians. The IAM/AW operatesa training program that helps United Airlines employ-ees in San Francisco obtain certification.

What is needed, of course, is reasonably adequatejob forecasting in the industry so we can preparetoday's kids of jobs that will actually exist. And anoutreach program--a genuine color-blind outreach pro-gram--that includes all members of society on equalfooting. I am all for raising standards of excellence onthe job to make flying safer and more dependable. ButI am totally against any facade in that regard which issimply a barrier to minorities and disadvantaged citi-zens, making it difficult if not impossible to gain accessto training and jobs.

When I say the outreach should extend to allcitizens, that's exactly what I mean. There is a blindmechanic on the bench at United Airlines. He does avery good job. Sure, they modified the workplace a bitto accommodate him No one complained about that.The man asks for no special favor. He just wants to doa good job. Disabled people can perform many func-tions in aviation. We have got to make a consciouseffort to recruit people with disabilities who want towork and can perform as well as anyone else. Stan-dards are standards. They don't change. We simplymodify the work area.

Skills learned as an airframe and powerplant tech-nician are transferrable and enable those who have

21 2

been trained in aircraft related skills to be employed inmany ;Ields. In fact, in my experience, they are soughtafter.

The biggest barrier to getflng a job, especially forinner city kids, is language. English. The ability toarticulate. Two candidates come in with more or lessequal experience. One spouts street talk and wears acap. The other one speaks English. Guess who getsthe job? So it isn't enough to be a damn good techni-cian. Somewhere along the line, in school, hopefully;at home, perhaps, the youngster has got to learn tospeak and dress appropriately. That should be arequisite part of a kid's basic education in highschool.

I am associated with OPPORTUNITY SKYWAYbecause its mission reflects my whole life experience.I was a poor student. Didn't like school. My family sac-rificed to send me to technical school. It changed mylife. Aviation did that. I still love it. I see the kids in OP-PORTUNITY SKYWAY getting a fresh start and a newlife. I know exactly how they feel.

John GogliaTreasurer, National Coalition for Aviation Education

IAMIUSAir Representative

UNTIL JANUARY I had not been in a high school class-room in 52 years. Jim Burruss and I had worked forfive months or so to get employer agreements signedat Palm Springs Airport and an entry-level job aviationcurriculum approved in Sacramento.

We applied the rules of the workplace in the class-room. Employers came in at the start to talk about theschool-to-work procedures and the kinds of behavior,dress code and language that would be expected,and the kind that would not be tolerated. We didn'ttolerate the latter in the classroom either. If a young-ster would not or could not measure up, he or she gota warning. Unheeded warnings were cause fordismissal. And we did eliminate half of the youngsterswho started with us.

The 16 who finished and got their certificates inentry-level aviation jobs learned a lot about them-selves and life at an airport. Some actually did jobshadowing in the control tower. Others learned aboutground services. Some worked in food preparation.Some handled baggage. We followed the OPPORTU-NITY SKYWAY rule: all jobs in aviation are importantand must be performed with care. Many of the young-sters discovered strengths they didn't know they had,and learned that self-discipline is vitally important ingetting and keeping a job.

I learned a lot too. I have a healthy respect forteachers and counselors. And a new admiration for allthose companies who worked with us to give thosekids a marvelous hands-on learning experience. Ourgoal is to replicate this successful program in otherRegional Occupational Programs in Riverside County,and eventually throughout California.

David SwitzerRegional Vice President, OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY, Inc,

Retired International FAA OfficialRetired Navy Commander and Air Transport Pilot

SUMMARY

Arthur H. WhiteChair, WSY Consulting Group, Inc.

Chair, Jobs for the Future, Inc.

You UNDERSTAND YOUR PROBLEMS and can articulateyour goals. Believe me, you are ahead of the pack.You have another advantage. A big one. You are in anexciting industry. You can plan exciVng projects foryoungsters. They actually handle the controls ofairplanes. Talk to pilots. Tour air and space facilities.Watch air controllers at work. Make and fly modelairplanes. Participate in theater workshops to improvetheir language skills and learn about history throughrole-playing.

Sure other industries can and do provide hands-on experiential opportunities for youngsters. But theprinting industry or the insurance industryand theyare wonderful people to be sure--simply can't com-pete with the natural excitement you can generate inan hour or a day or, as in the case of OPPORTUNITYSKYWAY, throughout the year. It's just no contest.

So you have a lot going for you. You understandall about lifelong learning and the need to relate theclassroom to the workplace. This Forum verifies yourdetermination to bring aviation and workforce devel-opment together to plan jobs and job training method-ologies. I admire all that. And applaud your effort. Still,I have a troubling concern that you may not succeedunless you develop adequate resources. You need topresent a clear vision and keep your promises toyoungsters, as many of you have stressed.

What is needed is a kindergarten through highschool development on a national scale, with strongties to community colleges, technical training services,and four-year universities. The earlier a youngster isexposed to the ideas and excitement the greater thechances that he or she will stay in school, actuallyenjoy school and learning, and begin to sort outcareer options with the help of caring mentors and

counselors.

The Clinton Administration is serious about stimu-lating school-to-employment initiatives. Employers willbe "ncouraged to be part of the educational system.They will be encouraged to participate directly inschool-to-work apprenticeship-type activities, andhelp curriculum directors relate course materials toactual job requirements. The learn to earn philosophy

identified by Joe Puha Ila and Mery Strickler is ofparamount importance.

Multiple benefits are involved here. For the stu-dents, obviously. Minority, disadvantaged and dis-abled youngsters, especially, will get the extra boostthey need and deserve to prepare for careers.

Employers will draw closer to the schools andhave direct, personal involvement in the way studentsare trained for the world of work.

The confidence building that is a vital part of thisprocess will surely encourage many students to gobeyond technical training and seek four-year degrees.But all work will be honored and praised. The secondclass status often given non-college citizens will dis-appear as all professions are recognized and digni-fied. Divisions in our society must be narrowed.Today, for mostly economic reasons, t; ley are beingwidened.

You have a marvelous program to build on, OP-PORTUNITY SKYWAY. It embodies all of the principlesand strengths that Joe Puha Ila, Sam Halperin, MeryStrickler and others identified today as being requisiteto the success of your undertaking. That you shoulddevelop a working Task Force of members of the Coa-lition and the Partnership is a given. I suggest youform that Task Force without delay and deveiop anon-going plan to engage the aviation community andthe workforce development community across thiscountry in a long-term effort.

The challenge is to get top-down endorsementand adequate funds to do the job that must be done.I congratulate you for your dedication and obvious en-thusiasm. I hope your love of what you do is catchingthroughout all of American industry. You are oncourse. But you've got to add a lot of thrust. You'vegot to make a major, serious commitment of effort andresources. Good luck.

2323

THE CHARGE

Joseph T Puha Ila

WE MUST ACT ON OUR SHARED CONVICTIONS With asense of urgency. We must form the Task Force ofmembers of the Coalition and The Partnership imme-diately. All of us must identify resources. And the mostimportant help in getting resources is to have arealistic plan of action, endorsed by the Task Forceand supported enthusiastically by the decision-makers in our respective aviation and workforce de-velopment organizations across the country.

All of us are grateful for the leadership that hascreated OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY and brought aboutformation of the National Coalition for Aviation Educa-tion. A wonderful start has been made. But it is justthat, a start. As Arthur said, we are fortunate to have asolid program to build on and a Coalition in aviationand a Partnership in workforce development in placeto work together. But it is up to us to make it happen.Having the program and the mechanisms alone willnot get us there.

Today, now, before we leave this Main Lounge ofthe National Press Club, let eaen of us make a per-sonal, serious commitment to find the resources, andthrough the Task Force, develop a plan of action thatwill move us successfully into the 21st century.Successfully in terms of training today's youth for to-morrow's workplace. Successfully in terms of helping

a generation of youngsters find their way, developtheir abilities, enjoy careers of their choice, and helpbuild a strong national economy for generations tocome.

Change today is driven by economic concernsand considerations. Good. That makes our caseeasier to sell and easier to move forward. One canand should be pragmatic as well as idealistic inpromoting aviation education.

We must work together. Every day. We mustmake a commitment. I invite you to sign the log at theback of the room if you'd like to serve on the TaskForce or make other contributions to this effort. Weneed to have every one of you involved. We mustcommit ourselves to get this job done for our youth,the aviation industry, and, in a real sense, the welfareof our nation.

Thank you for your participation today andtomorrow.

24 24

AGENDA

First Annual Aviation Education Forum

TOMORROW'S NEEDS;TODAY'S CHALLENGES

Sponsored byOPPORTUNITY SKYWAY, Inc.

andThe Partnership For Training

And Employment Careers, Inc.

June 18, 1993

By Invitation

Main LoungeThe National Press Club

Washington, D.C.

9 a.m. WelcomeCarlton E. Spitzer, PresidentOPPORTUNITY SKYWAY, Inc.

Introduction of Keynote SpeakerAntoinette Amos, Outreach DirectorNational Air & Space Museum

Keynote SpeakerTheodore Robinson, Aviation HistorianTuskegee Airmen, Inc.

9:30 Comment on Workforce DevelopmentRobert Knight, Executive DirectorNational Association of Private IndustryCouncils

Introduction of SpeakerRobert Knight

New Directions In Workforce DevelopmentJoseph T. Puha Ila, PresidentThe Partnership For Training& Employment Careers, Inc.

ReactorSamuel Halperin, Ph.D.,DirectorAmerican Youth Policy Forum

Panel

ModeratorCynthia Davis, Ph.D., Executive DirectorThe Partnership For Training& Employment Careers

PanelistsLawrence Brown, Esq., PresidentWAVE, Inc.

Jim Burruss, CoordinatorRegional Occupational ProgramsRiverside, California

John ValenzanoVocational and Technical EducationMaryland Department of Education

Dr. Jeff Adams, SuperintendentKent Polytech, Woodside, Delaware

12:15 Luncheon (First Amendment Lounge)

Theater As Classroom

RemarksHannah Olanoff, The Ford's Theater

Remarks and PerformanceCa leen Sinnette-JenningsAssociate Professor, Theater DepartmentThe Amarican University

PeformancesRobeson JenningsJerome MurdockNeedra Graham

RemarksDoris L. Rich, Author, Queen Bess

2 p.m. Introduction of Speaker (Main Lounge)Shelly Snyder, Vice PresidentNational Coalition for Aviation Education

26

Manpower Needs In AviationMervin K. Strickler, Ed.D.Aviation ConSultant

ReactorsLawrence Burian, PresidentNational Air Transportation Association

Phillip S. Woodruff, DirectorAviation Education Federal Aviation Admin.

Panel

ModeratorDavid Switzer, Vice PresidentOPPORTUNITY SKYWAY

PanelistsJanette M. Prince, Public AffairsAircraft Owners and Pilots Association

John Goglia, IAM/USAir

Tyson Whiteside, CounselAircraft Electronics Association

Warren H. Wheeler, PresidentWRA Service, Inc.; Captain, USAir

4:30 SummationArthur H. White, ChairJobs For The Future

ChargeJoseph T. Puha Ila

5 p.m. Adjourn

2 6

BIOGRAPHIES

CARLTON E. SPITZER, founder and president of OP-PORTUNITY SKYWAY, Inc., has been developingpublic-private alliances for 20 years. He was corpo-rate vice president, Borden, Inc. in the 1970s, andDirector, Office of Public Information in the former U.S.Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in the1960s. He is an active private pilot.

MARIE ANTOINETTE AMOS iS the Multicultural OutreachOfficer for the Smithsonian Institution, National Air andSpace Museum, with responsibilities for increasingminority participation in the museum's programs, exhi-bitions, and films. She also serves as the Museum'sEqual Opportunity Officer and Ombudsman.

THEODORE ROBINSON fell in love with flying whenAmerica was strictly segregated and African Ameri-cans had limited opportunity to obtain instruction.World War II found Ted in the Army Air Corps, aTuskegee-trained pilot. Returning home, he joinedthe FAA and served in many capacities, includingflight safety. For two years prior to his retirement fromthe government, he was on sabbatical at the NationalAir and Space Museum, doing research on thecontributions of African Americans to the developmentof aviation in the United States and around the world.He is currently writing and editing books on the livesof African American aviators. Ted is an active pilotand flight instructor who flies his sleek Mooney out ofCollege Park Airport near Washington, D.C. He is acharter member of OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY's Boardof Directors.

ROBERT KNIGHT has been president of the NationalAssociation of Private Industry Councils since 1981.The association works to strengthen private sector,volunteer qJpport for job training pronrar- 3, and isfocused principally on helping disadvantaged, "at-risk" youth and dislocated older workem. Previously,Mr. Knight was a staff member with the U.S. SenateSubcommittee on Employment, Poverty and MigratoryLabor, responsible for legislation which created theComprehensive Employment and Training Act, andwhich established Private Industry Councils on a dem-onstration basis. He began his career in employmenttraining as a grant administrator in Wisconsin.

JOSEPH T. PUHALLA is President of the Partnership forTraining and Employment Careers, Inc., a 2000-mem-ber national organization of workforce developmentexecutives; President, Prince George's Private Indus-try Council, and Chairman of the Bo xd, OPPORTU-

N1TY SKYWAY, Inc. An educator and counselor,Puha Ila is known throughout the workforce develop-pent community for his innovative approaches to jobtraining, school-to-work transitions, and drop-outprevention.

SAMUEL iiALPERIN, Ph.D., has been a policy-maker inacademia, the federal government, and non-profit or-ganizations since earning his doctorate in Political Sci-ence from Washington University in St. Louis in 1956.He has workec; on Congressional Committees, servedas Deputy Assistant Secretary for Education, helpedto design major educational legislation - elementarythrough higher education and headed leadershiptraining programs, including The Institute For Educa-tional Leadership, of which he was the first president.He is co-author of seven books and nearly 100 articleson political process and educational policy, and hastaught a; American, Duke, and Columbia Universities.He was study Director of Youth and America's Futureand devel piped two major reports, The Forgotten Half:Non-College Youth In America; and Pathways toSuccess for America's Youth and Young Families,both published in 1988.

JIM BURRUSS has been responsible for planning anddeveloping Regional Occupational Programs indiverse fields ir. t-iverside, California for 18 years,including a new p.ogram in aviation. A former voca-tional school instructor, Burruss is currently presidentof the Coachella Valley Industry Council. He believescontinuity and consistency are the keys to success inand out of the classroom.

JOHN VALENZANO serves as a Regional Coordinatorfor the Division of Career Technology and AdultLearning with the Maryland State Department ofEducation. He began his career as a teacher in 1969for the Queen Anne's County Board of Education. In1974, he became a teacher for the Allegany CountyBoard of Education. In 1987, he began his employ-ment with the Maryland State Department of Educa-tion as the Principal of the school at Eastern Correc-tional Institution. In his current postion as a regionalcoordinator, he provides technical assistance toschool systems in areas related to career technologyeducation.

JEFF ADAMS, Ed.D., has been superintendent of thePolytech School District in Delaware for more than fiveyears. Previously he was associated with Delaware

Technical & Community College for 15 years, andWesley College for two years. Dr. Adams earned hisB.A. and M.A. degrees from Appalachian StateUniversity, and his doctorate from Temple University.In 1992 he authorized a start-up aviation curriculum atPolytech, utilizing the OPPORTUNITY SI<MAYprogram.

CYNTHIA A. DAVIS, Ph.D., has been Executive Directorof The Partnership For Training And EmploymentCareers, Inc. and its sister organization, the NationalJob Training Partnership, since 1989. Previously sheserved as a membership director for the AmericanAssociation of University Women, and issues manage-ment director for the National Federation of Businessand Professional Women. Dr. Davis was a collegeprofessor of English at George Mason University,Union College, the University of Wisconsin, and TexasA&I. She earned her B.A. from the University of Texas,and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wiscon-sin.

CALEEN SINNETTE-JENNINUS is Assistant Professor ofTheater at The American University where sheteaches acting, playwrighting and academic coursesin theater. She directs The African American ActorsEnsemble and the Multi-Cultural Performing Group,and is founder of Black Kids in Theater. Her book, ALunch Line: Contemporary Scenes For ContemporaryTeens was published in 1988. Her new play, SundayDinner, will be published this year. A native NewYorker who has lived and worked in Nigeria, sheearned her B.A. in Theater from Bennington Collegeand her M.F.A. in Theater from New York University.She is director of OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY Theater, anew program which trains teachers to use drama toteach, and engages teachers and students in work-shops emphasizing aviation history.

HANNAH OLANOFF has been the Audience Develop-ment Director at Ford's Theater for the past threeyears. She is responsible for outreach to the Wash-ington Metropolitan Community, coordinating servicesfor the visually and hearing impaired, and educationalopportunities for young people. Ms. Olanoff hassupervised Opening Act Workshops and the compan-ion study guides for each production. It was in thefirst season of this program that the OPPORTUNITYSKYWAY students attended the play, Black Eagles.The rest of the theater-as-teaching-tool story is historyin the making.

SHELLY SNYDER is Communications and Aviation Edu-cation Manager for the General Aviation Manufactur-ers Association. She serves as national secretary ofthe University Aviation Association and is GAMA's rep-resentative at the Airway Science IndustryRoundtable. She was elected vice chair of the new

28

National Coalition for Aviation Education. An activepilot and member of the Congressional Flying Club,she has a B.A. in Commercial Aviation from DeltaState, and a Public Relations degree from GeorgeWashington University.

MERVIN K. STRICKLER, JR., Ed.D., is recognized as the"dean" of aviation education across the United Statesand throughout the world. He serves as a consultantto the National Air Transportation Association, and asDirector of Aviation and Space Education for theNational Aeronautic Association. He designed andtaught an experimental high school aviation programbefore World War II, and, during that war, organizedand headed the U.S. Army Air Corps College ofAeronautics in Nevada. He earned his doctorate ineducation from Stanford University in 1951 andembarked on a distinguished career of speaking,writing and consulting. He has served as a consultantto many aviation associations and the federal govern-ment, and received the esteemed Frank G. BrewerTrophy from the President of the United States in 1952for his exceptional service to the nation. In 1987 hereceived the FAA's Award for Distinguished Service.Dr. Strickler is the author of hundreds of articles andpapers, including the FAA Aviation Magnet SchoolCurriculum Guides, which will be published this year.

LAWRENCE L. BURIAN has been president of theNational Air Transportation Association for 17 years.NATA, chartered in 1940, represents the businessinterests of aviation service companies. Under Mr.Burian's leadership, NATA has grown ten-fold torepresent 2,000 locations. Mr. Burian began flying in1959 and once managed a fixed base operationwhere he taught flying, pumped gas, and repairedgeneral service aircraft. He learned flying from theground up. A veteran Air Force pilot in the KoreanWar, he later taught college-level aviation courses. Hehas served on many commissions and studies, and iseither a member of the board or a consultant todozens of aviation and business groups in the U.S.and abroad.

PHILLIP S. WOODRUFF has been a leader in aviationeducation for more than 20 years and has traveled theworld on missions related to aviation and spacedevelopment. He is Manager of Aviation Education,Federal Aviation Administration, and former Director ofAerospace Education for the Great Lakes Region ofthe Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force. Previously he heldmanagement positions with Cessna Aircraft andAmerican Telephone & Telegraph. He is an honorsgraduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, anda flight instructor with more than 3,000 hours who hasprovided first flights for hundreds of students andteachers.

2 8

TYSON W. WHrrEsIDE, Esq., is Director for Governmen-

tal and Industry Affairs for the Aircraft Electronics As-

sociation and Manager of the AEA's EducationalFoundation. He was elected Chair of the National

Coalition for Aviation Education. Previously he had

served as advisor to the Secretary of the Interior, and

staff assistant for the Senate Foreign RelationsCommittee. He is a graduate of the University of

Kansas and George Washington University law

school.

WARREN H. WHEELER iS Chair, Virginia Aviation Board;

President, WRA Services, Inc., and a veteran Captain

with USAir. He was a pilot for former North Carolina

Governor Terry Sanford when selected as the first afri-

can American pilot to fly with the former Piedmont Air-

lines. A native of Durham, North Carolina, Captain

Wheeler soloed at age 16 and quickly earned his ad-

vanced ratings. He devotes time and energy to

creating opportunities for minorities and women to

prepare for a wide range of careers in aviation. He is

a member of the board of directors for OPPORTUNITY

SKYWAY.

JOHN GOGLIA is Permanent Secretary of the Flight

Safety Committee, International Association of Ma-

chinists and Aerospace Workers, and the elected

Treasurer of the National Coalition for Aviation Educa-

tion. Employed by USAir, Mr. Goglia has served as

lead mechanic, aircraft and maintenance inspector

and developed training programs for mechanics.

Previously he was owner and manager of a fixed base

aviation services company.

JANETTE M. PRINCE manages the education program

at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and

supervises AOPA's Fly a Teacher and APPLE pro-

grams (America's Pilots Participating in Local Educa-

tion). A graduate of Embry-Riddle AeronauticalUniversity, Ms. Prince is a student pilot, elected

Secretary of the National Coalition for Aviation Educa-

tion, and a member of the board of directors for

OPPORTUNITY SKYWAY.

DAVID SWITZER, a retired Navy Commander and Inter-

national FAA Official, is volunteer vice president for

OPPORTUNI-TY SKYWAY in the Western States. He

helped create and taught the first aviation program

conducted in the Regional Occupational Program in

Riverside, California. Commander Switzer began his

career with the FAA in 1960 and for 10 years prior to

his retirement in 1986 was FAA representative in

Rome and the top U.S. official on civil aviation for an

area covering 32 countries, from Italy through the

Middle East and Bangladesh.

ARTHUR H. WHITE is President and CEO of the WSY

Consulting Group and Chair, Jobs For The Future. He

has directed more than 200 research and consulting

assignments for corporations, associations, the news

media, universities, and non-profit organizations. He

serves on the Executive Committee of Reading Is

Fundamental; as Vice Chair, Institute For Educational

Leadership, and Chair, Connecticut's Housing Fi-

nance Authority. Since 1983 he has been directing a

national analysis and development program regarding

job opportunity training and retraining needs. Mr.

White earned his A.B. and M.B.A. degrees at Harvard.

29 29

COMMENTS OF PARTICIPANTS

Invitees to the First Annual Aviation Educa-tion Forum at the National Press Club inWashington, D.C., were asked to commenton the reasons they wished to participate,as well as the stated objectives of theForum. These are their responses:

'The future of our nation and our industry is in ourhands. As a representative of more than 305,000AOPA members, I am eager to offer the support andopinions of general aviation pilots to meeting thisresponsibility,'

Janette M. Prince, Public Relations SpecialistAircraft Owners & Pilots Assn., Frederick, MD.

It is vital for America's future in the aviation workforcethat we prepare today's students for tomorrow'sopportunities. Time is running out. Aviation educationis the key.'

Jack Schofield, M.Ed.,Pilot and Aerospace Instructor

1 believe this could prove to be a wonderful opportu-nity for networking to form a broad support base.'

- Barbara C. Loy, Consulting TeacherMemphis City Schools, Memphis, TN

'This forum offers a unique challenge and opportunityfor individuals and organizations to find stimulatingways to motivate and inspire young people and adultsto allow themselves to learn and be exposed toaviation education (in various forms) and the careeropportunities available.'

- Evie L. Washington, Opportunity Skyway, CAPPotomac Chapter 99s, EM and Elegant Occasions (Event Planners)

'As a board member of Opportunity Skyway, I main-tain a strong concern and desire to assist our youthwith career development in all areas.'

- Dennis C. Brownlee, Director, Office of CentralServices, Prince Georges Co.: Board memberof Opportunity Skyway and the Prince GeorgesCo. Private Industry Council

I served as chief flight/ground instructor for Opportu-nity Skyway and would like to offer my experiences/recommendations."

- Lloyd J. Coleman, ChairOpportunity Skyway Advisory Committee

"Successful preparation of our learners to entercareers demands that we understand and mergefuture workforce needs into our programs. The forumprovides us that opportunity.'

- Katharine M. Oliver, Asst. State Superintendent,Career Technology and Adult Learning, Md.State Dept. of Education

1 am vitally interested in promoting, developing, andimplementing programs in aviation that will provideeducational and career awareness opportunities forour students."

R. Ray Ogden, Director of Curriculum & Instructor, Prince George's Co. Public Schools

'This forum will focus our attention on the need toplace aero-space education in our schools. I amespecially interested in promoting flight instruction inhigh school for the development of pride, self-disci-pline and motivation.'

- Richard L. Upchurch, Supervisor, AviationPrograms, Henrico Co. Public Schools,Richmond, VA.

1 wish to participate because or my involvement withyouth and interest in aviation. I would like to get moreyouth exposed."

- David R. Smith, Opportunity Skyway, Bowie HighSchool, Bowie, MD

30

"The Regional Occupational Program has begun anaviation occupations entry-level job training program.The process involved various agencies which pro-duced an excellent curriculum."

- Jim Burruss, ROP Principle, Riverside Co. Officeof Education, Indio, CA.

"I wish to participate because my background andinterests have always been in aviation education,particularly black youth."

- Neal V. Loving, WPAFB (retired)

'We must today keep the youth off the streets and inthe air in an all-year-round structured learning pro-gram. Aerospace learning teaches those values thatare needed to keep America strong.'

Charles X. Suraci, Jr., Vice President, AerospaceEducation, Air Force Assn.

'The forum combines my interests in aviation and ineducation and explores the future of both. As aneducator, I would like to learn how I might use aviationto motivate young people to stay in school, seek

30

productive employment and thereby ensure the healthof the American economy.'

- Dr. Helene Scher, Program Officer, Fund for theImprovement of Postsecondary Education, U.S.Dept. of Education

°I wish to participate because I am interested in theimpact of new technologies on job visioning in avia-tion.'

- Dr. Margaret C. Tradu, Washington Co. Board ofEducation, Hagerstown, MD.

°I wish to participate because I'm an aviation instructorat Polytech High School and this information would bevery helpful to both me and my students.'

- Harry J. Batty, Jr., Aviation Instructor, Woodside,DE.

'Aviation career opportunities exist in many areas andsteps need to be taken to expand contacts andinformation to teachers, counselors and studentsabout those opportunities."

- Frank G. Mitchell, Mgr. Sales Trng & AviationEducation, Beech Aircraft Corp.

'I wish to participate because out of 38,254 current aircarrier pilots, 2013 are minorities (5%), 512 Black(1.3%).'

- Barry T. McCoy, Jr., NAI

' I wish to participate because I am extremely inter-ested in aviation education.°

- Roland T. Butler, Advisory Committee, Opportu-nity Skyway, Inc.

'I wish to participate since I am a Black male workingin the aviation industry, and I feel my comments andsuggestions will be helpful.'

- Gary L. Hudson, Asst. Airport ManagerCollege Park, MD.

wish to participate because of my aviation experi-ence, aviation education and interest, and ability toguide others' interest in aviation.'

- Elizabeth Matarese, FM-certified InstrumentFlight Instructor and Technical Program Analyst, Flight Safety Div., Federal Aviation Administration National Headquarters

' I wish to participate because I want to meet othersthat have also been working in aviation education.'

- Scott A. Ladsman, Captain, USAF VP for Aerospace Education for Co/lege Park Airport andOperation Skyway Presenter at local schools.

'I wish to participate because of my desire to sharethe commitment to this vital education mission.'

- Dr. Paul Flagg, PhD, USAF and Director of Aero.space Education, Middle East Region

'I think the mission of Opportunity Skyway is incredi-bly important in raising interest levels for aviationcareers among the youth of our nation. We mustensure that the pipeline which provides qualified andinterested people for the aviation industry and aero-space infrastructure remains full of quality people. Ifeel that Opportunity Skyway is an excellent vehicle togenerate that interest and to coordinate aviationcareer opportunities. It presents a great place to startan aviation career.'

- Charles Botula ill, Col, USAF Commander

'Young people need to know that aviation is full ofopportunities for them--especially women.'

Ellen Crum, FM Air Traffic Rules Branch

31

'With the down-sizing of the military, it becomesincreasingly important for civilian aviation to attractand train high-quality young people.'

- J. Craig Ray, Co/. USAF (ret.) Air Force Assn.Veterans/Retirees Council

'The greatest resource our country has is the potentialof future leadership within our children.'

Lt. Col. Carroll Huneycutt, VIP Pilot - USAF

am interested in promoting aviation education withour nation's young people."

Norm Mowbray, PresidentAviation Education Partnership

' I feel strongly that America needs the full participationof all citizens to effectively enter the 2000's. Moreover,I am firmly committed to improving opportunities forminorities in aviation.'

Charles L. Liddell, President, Lake CharlesChapter, Tuskegee Airmen

want to influence what is to come in the regime ofeducation and career development for our students.'

Bruce F. Mundie, Director, Office of RegionalAviation, Maryland Aviation Admin.

"I wish to participate because I am interested in thefollowing: a) increasing minority participation inaviation and aerospace careers; b) developing andinitiating aviation programs in high schools."

David Fogleman, Aerospace Coordinator,Southern University, Shreveport, LA

"I wish to participate because I am operating theCollege Park Opportunity Summer Camp this sum-mer."

Dr. William P. Brose, Upper Marlboro, MD

"I am a dedicated educator who is always looking toexpose and advance the area of science for urbanyouth. Aviation is an area that minority young peoplealmost never consider when choosing a career, only

31

because of limited exposure.'- Ida Barner, Science Site Coordinator, D.C. Public

Schools, Washington, DC

' If we don't plan for the future, our work today is futile."- Edward E. Moon, Opportunity Skyway & OBAP

'NASAO Center for Aviation Research and Education(NASAO/CARE) exists to serve the developmentalneeds of the nation and the states in the areas ofaviation research and education.'

- Chase C. Stockton, Director, NASAO/CARE

' We teach an advanced science and technologyclass. Projects include remote control blimps, world'slargest paper airplane, 7' hovercraft."

R. J. Lenda, Dept. Chairman, R. Evans, Science,Montgomery Co. Public Schools, MD

"I am particularly pleased to hear that the under-representation of women and people of color in theaviation industry will be addressed during the forum. Ihave taken a personal interest in this issue because Ibelieve that aviation needs the skills and talents thisgroup can bring to our industry."

- Hank Verbais, Aviation Education Officer, FM

' Like many others, I believe that our nation's aviationindustry has reached a critical turning point. We mustact quickly and decisively if we are to maintain ourposition as the world's preeminent aviation authority.Aviation education and career development can playa key role in the industry's resurgence. We must lookcritically at the nature and delivery of school curriculaand develop an educational strategy which utilizes athematic, interdisciplinary approach that is moreresponsive to the needs of business. We must fosteran interest in aviation and introduce students toaviation careers at an earlier age. We must provide adefined educational/career path from the elementaryto the post secondary level. Finally, we must fully

include those segments of our population which haveso much to offer but have limited opportunities tocontribute."

- Hank Verbais, Aviation Education Officer, FM

'Some students require a reason for learning. Oftenthese students have difficulty attaining minimumstandards and/or become drop-outs. Interest inaviation can be a passionate reason for learning alltypes of subjects. Introducing these at-risk students toaviation can give some of them the necessary motiveto learn. It will not motivate all at-risk students.

Only some of the affected students will want, or beable, to become pilots. Some of the students moti-vated by an interest in aviation will not continue theirinterest beyond school. However, with the greatvariety of possible occupations in aerospace, allstudents who do retain their interest in aviation canfind some employment in the industry if they get thenecessary background and training. For some fields,this background must start early.

The future of aviation in the United States, as wellas the nation's economic future as a whole, requiresthat we identify at-risk students, find something thatinterests each of them, and use those tools to help allof them reach their full potential. Aviation is, andshould be, one of those tools.'

Pat Fletcher, Aviation Analyst, MiTech, Inc.,Member, Opportunity Skyway Advisory Com-mittee

32

'I wish to participate because I like to design and buildBaide controlled aircraft. I have a limited knowledge ofhow an aircraft performs but I do know how an airfoilworks and what lift and drag coefficients are andsome other stuff. I have already built some RC planesand I am now working on a research RC plane with a6 1/2' wing span that is capable of carrying at themost 50 pounds."

- Timmy Knight, Hollywood, MD. 18 years old

32