The three-week Air Force Aviation-Character-Education (ACE) Program was held from July 16 to Aug. 4 at the Delaware Airpark – where the DSU Aviation Program bases its flight training and maintains its flight of planes.
Twenty-four aspiring pilots from across the country participated in the ACE Program, receiving 15 hours of dual flight instruction, 5-10 hours of flight simulator work, as well as ground training aviation science, technology engineering and mathematics. The ground training took place at the Bank of America Building on the DSU campus, and the students utilized DSU planes and the Delaware Airpark for their flight training.
Lt. Col Kenyatta Ruffin, Division Chief of Outreach and Engagement for the Air Force Aircrew Crisis Task Force, said the ACE Flight Program is centered on aviation, character and education and is designed to reach people from all across America, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or background.
“It’s so that you have a tangible feel of what it’s like to be in the United States Air Force,” said Lt. Col. Kenyatta. “The unique opportunity we have to showcase through our role models and mentors – this is what it’s like to be an airman, this is how you go through pilot training, this is how you go through college and get a commission.”
A highlight of the ACE Program took place July 27 when Lt. Gen. Stayce D. Harris, the highest-ranking African American female in the U.S. Air Force, paid a visit and spoke to the students.
To see slideshow images of Lt. Gen. Harris’ visit, click on the below link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/48216028@N03/sets/72157694085593630/show
Lt. Gen, Harris is currently the Inspector General of the Air Force under the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force in Washington, D.C. During her visit, she was introduced to each student as well as each Air Force and DSU instructor, and she shared some of her Air Force career experiences.
When asked which characteristic that the students should most cultivate, she said she most looks for military members to be team players, while at the same time developing oneself in ways to be highly valued as a career-long outcome. She noted that military females have a role to play to ensure that they are treated with respect.
“You need to find your own voice to keep the proper climate of dignity and respect,” Lt. Gen. Harris said.
The 24 ACE Program students included 11 high school students, eight college Air Force ROTC cadets, two U.S. Air Force Academy cadets and three Air Force second lieutenants.
During the program, 22 of the 24 participants were able to take their first-ever solo flight. Upon completing their individual solo flight, each pilot was then doused in a gauntlet of water buckets as a show of fun camaraderie among the group of participants.
Because many commercial airlines are attracting and hiring pilots away from active duty service, there is currently a shortage of military pilots. In addition, there is a shortage of minority pilots in the Air Force and commercial airlines.
According to the Air Force, only 5.7 percent of its pilots are women, 1.7 percent are African-American and 2 percent are Asian. The Federal Aviation Administration reports that only 4.4 percent of commercial airline pilots are women, 2.7 percent are African-American and 2.5 percent are Asian
