Encouraging youths to consider aviation careers

Group aims to give free flying lessons to military kids

A nonprofit corporation in Florida hopes to raise money to give free flying lessons to select teens who have lost a parent in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Students would complete the Private Pilot Ground School and receive a minimum of 20 hours of flight, said retired Marine Col. Jack D. Howell, president of Fightertown USA, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.

“We are optimistic that we will be able to solicit corporate sponsorships which will cover all costs involved, Howell said.

His goal is to conduct an aviation summer camp in August in Jacksonville, Fla.

As to grieving parents’ concerns about their children’s safety, “There’s always an element of risk, but we’ve never had an incident,” he said, adding that he is the recipient of several aerospace and aviation education awards and hand-picks his instructors.

“There are parents who want to hold close and shield their children, but there comes a time when they want to spread their wings,” he said.

His group wants to encourage youths to consider aviation careers, he said.

A notice on the organization’s Web site said more information on the proposed program will be posted soon.