MILE HIGH FLIGHT PROGRAM
The Hubert L. "Hooks" Jones (Denver) Tuskegee Airmen chapter has sponsored the Mile High Flight Program for over fifteen exciting years. The purpose of this program is to expose youth to vast opportunities in aviation and aerospace through tours and hands on activities. Tour events have included:
- Wings Over the Rockies Aerospace Museum
- Centennial Airport
- Denver International Airport
- United States Air Force Academy
- Metropolitan State Colleges Aviation Department
- CU Boulder Aeronautical Engineering Department
- Buckley Air Force Base
- United Airlines Flight Training Center
- Orientation flights in light airplanes and gliders
The most outstanding students are selected each year and actually learn how to fly. We've met with and mentored hundreds of students, sharing the history and philosophy of the Tuskegee Airmen; that excellence and achievement have no color barriers. While the focus of our program is flight, we use this as a metaphor for life…"if they can succeed in this program, they can succeed anywhere!" We strive to leave each student with the unshakable belief that the sky is the limit.
The success of our program is reflected in the success of our students, and we have much to be proud of. Here are some of their stories.
Nichole Davis was the first African-American female to solo with the Mile High Flight program. She recently wrote, "I don't know if you remember me, but I remember you. You brought me into the mile high flight program about five years ago. I was the first African-American female to solo in the program. I am extremely grateful for all that you have done for me. Had it not been for you, I might not be where I am today. On December 16, 2006, I will be graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as an aerospace engineer."
Mychol Alexander is another one of our shining stars. As do many of our students, he repeated our program for several years. The FAA requires that a student be at least 16 years old in order to solo, and Mike was determined to do just that. With the support of his parents Mychol participated for four years. He was selected for "Phase 2" flight training and we taught him how to fly. His ambition is to pilot the Air Forces newest super fighter, the F-22. He's well on his way to reaching his goal, as he now completes his first year at the United States Air Force Academy.
Then there's Hans Anderson. Hans is a quiet, unassuming young African-American who we were proud to have in our program. His mother contacted us to bring us up to date on his progress. Flying airplanes wasn't his passion. More likely, designing airplanes or perhaps the Mars orbiter will be his field of excellence. His mother reports that Hans is doing well as a junior at MIT. An interesting detail is that Hans is now only 17 years old!
Our Mile High Flight Program is making a real impact in the lives of our young men and women. We've nurtured dreams and helped students chart courses to their futures, but because of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., legacy, their futures have no limits!