NEW YORK, Sept. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The RedTail
Flight Academy (RFA) celebrated the opening of its state-of-the-art
flight academy today at New York Stewart International Airport in
partnership with Wheels Up (NYSE:UP), the leading private aviation
company. Honoring the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, the RedTail
Flight Academy will train seven minority youth from underserved
communities to develop a pipeline of diverse aviators and future
leaders in the industry. The alliance between the two organizations
reflects RedTail Flight Academy's commitment of developing highly
qualified talent by partnering with industry leaders to host
internships, lectures, roundtables, shadowing and mentoring
opportunities.
To honor the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and strengthen the
foundation of the Academy, original documented Tuskegee Airmen
Lieutenant Colonel Enoch Woodhouse
will attend the opening to welcome the inaugural cadets, including
three females and four males. The Academy strives to increase the
percentage of minority aviators from less than 2.5% represented in
the military and the commercial space, to at least 4% in the next
10 years through their efforts and community engagement.
"We're honored to be the first part 135 provider to partner with
the RedTail Flight Academy to help support the next generation of
aviation talent," said Lieutenant General Thomas W. Bergeson, Chief Operating Officer at
Wheels Up. "By offering two internships every year to academy
graduates, we're committing to diversifying our employee base and
offering positions to underserved communities."
Founded by the New York-based
chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., RedTail Flight Academy will use
aviation as a developmental tool focusing on STEM, leadership
development, and the legacy of the original Tuskegee Airmen. The
training program is a 10-month curriculum, certifying students
between the ages of 18-21 with a FAA Approved 14 CFR Part 141
multi-engine commercial pilot license and an instrument rating.
"We're thrilled to finally be able to welcome students to the
Red Tail Flight Academy to help diversify the aviation industry and
perpetuate the values of leadership, courage, and perseverance of
the original airmen," said Glen
Fraser, Director of Lee A. Archer
Jr. Red Tail Youth Flying Program. "The opportunity for our
graduates to gain firsthand experience through Internships at such
a great company ensures they continue to learn aviation skills from
industry leaders.," Fraser said.
In addition to providing two internships to academy graduates,
Wheels Up will donate $1,000 from
every new Core Memberships signup to the RedTail Academy. Donations
to the RedTail Academy will be available during a promotional
period.
About Wheels Up
Wheels Up Experience Inc.
("Wheels Up"), a leading demand generator in private aviation,
offers a total private aviation solution that includes world-class
safety, service, and flexibility through on-demand flights,
membership programs, corporate solutions, aircraft management,
whole aircraft sales, and commercial travel benefits through a
strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines. Wheels Up is uniquely
positioned to offer its Customers and Members access to over 1,500
safety-vetted and verified aircraft.
Through the Wheels Up App anyone can search, book, and fly.
Wheels Up Connect, Core, and Business memberships provide
enhancements such as flight sharing, empty-leg Hot Flights, Shuttle
Flights, Shared Flights, signature Wheels Down events, and
exclusive member benefits from preeminent lifestyle brands. The
Company's ongoing Wheels Up Cares program aligns with philanthropic
organizations and initiatives that affect and matter to the Company
and its customers, members, stakeholders, families, and friends.
The Wheels Up Cares fleet is comprised of five custom painted
Beechcraft King Air 350i aircraft; each plane serves as a flying
symbol for a specific cause.
All Wheels Up flights are operated by the Company's
DOT/FAA-authorized air carrier subsidiaries (Wheels Up Private Jets
LLC, Gama Aviation LLC, Mountain Aviation LLC, Sterling Aviation
LLC, and TWC Aviation LLC) or by an approved vendor air carrier
that has undergone a comprehensive safety assessment.
About RedTail Flight Academy
Based at the New York
Stewart International Airport in New
Windsor, New York, the RedTail Flight Academy (RFA)
represents a major milestone toward bringing more diversity to
aviation, principally by making world-class flight training
accessible to young, aspiring minority aviators. This is achieved
through scholarships funded by contributions from various corporate
sponsorships, as well as public and private donations. A nonprofit
program within the 501 (C)3-approved Lee A. Archer Red Tail Youth
Flying Program, the RedTail Flight Academy supports a 14 CFR Part
141 flight training curriculum that spans 10 months and results in
a multi-engine commercial pilot license with an instrument rating
for candidates between the ages of 18 and 21.
Media Contact: wheelsup@jonesworks.com
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SOURCE Wheels Up