Aviation in Memphis

Pinnacle Airlines Life Skills Washington trip

2011-03-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

The following link tells about the trip to Washington, DC the Pinnacle Airlines Life Skills interns participated in.

Jeff Holmes
Wooddale High School

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/mar/08/learning-to-soar/

Aviation Professionals needs for Memphis School Program

2011-03-14T17:07:00.000-07:00

Here are the locations I need people
Bellevue one 8th and two 6th grade
Craigmont one 6th grade two 7th grade and one 8th
Ridgeway three 6th , two 7th grades
Hamiliton two 6th , four 7th and one 8th

Thanks in advance,

If you are able to participate in this program on April 2nd, we would like for you to arrive around 8:30 a.m. to set up and the sessions will begin at 9:00 a.m... All sessions will be completed around 11:30 a.m. The students will rotate into the classrooms where the presenter will be speaking. Sessions will last from 15 to 20 minutes that will be determined by the number of speakers presenting.

Here is a little information about the program and if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me, Kay Wilson, or Margie Bell at bellm@mcsk12.net (901-416-7983). Margie is the district overall coordinator for this program and is located at the Bond Building on Airways Blvd.

The M2 program is a district initiative for Memphis City Schools (MCS) where students explore and increase their knowledge in mathematics. These students come to the program one Saturday a month and for a one week camp during the summer. This year the 6th graders are studying statistics, 7th graders are studying geometry and 8th graders are studying algebra. If you know of anyone that works with statistics and would be willing to volunteer on April 2nd, we need people to present to our 6th, 7th and 8th graders.

Anyway, this program is free to the MCS students and transportation is provided to any student within the MCS system that wants to participate and scored "Proficient" or "Advance" on the most recent Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program test (TCAP). The parents of the participating students are also invited to each location and to participate in the Saturday M2 sessions. After participating in the Saturday sessions during the school year, the students are encouraged to attend the week long camp sessions at one of the Memphis area colleges or universities. The colleges working with our students last summer were The University of Memphis, Christian Brothers University and Southwest Tennessee Community College, Union campus. We are making plans to continue the M2 program this summer for both 6th and 7th graders working with these same colleges, plus some other colleges in our community.

This year the "Informational Career Day" planned for April 2nd. We want the students to not only study mathematics, but also meet and talk with individuals that use this information in the real world of work.

This is a little bit about this program, and I hope that you will share this information with your friends and colleagues. If you get someone that would love to volunteer for 3 hours on April 2nd, please let me know. We need presenters at Hamilton Middle, Bellevue Middle and Craigmont Middle and Ridgeway Middle for all three grades.

Kay Wilson 901-619-0728 Tkw28@comcast.net

2011-03-04T14:07:00.001-08:00

Memphis Aviation Professionals cluster to help youth land success
By Shirley Jackson

‘If you can see up, you can get up’
The invitation asking Dr. Lee Jones to be the keynote speaker at the Memphis Aviation Professionals Annual Black History Youth luncheon didn’t say anything about him singing, but did not preclude him from exercising that option.

Dr. Lee Jones, keynote speaker, said, “I was inspired by my haters and those who said I couldn’t accomplish my goals.” (Photos by Milton Johnson)

Captain Anthony Holden, a FedEx pilot, speaks to students from Snowden Middle School about his career and experience as a pilot.

Jones – a professor, orator, radio/TV personality, and president and executive editor of InSpire Magazine – burst into song during the luncheon that The Memphis Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (MCTAI) hosted at the Holiday Inn Select Memphis Airport last week (Feb. 25).

The theme was “Dare to Dream: The Sky Is the Limit.” Jones began by singing to a crowd of about 425 a moving rendition of “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly. He emphasized the words “If I Believe It, Then I Can Do It”.

“Let your haters be your motivators,” said Jones to the students representing 11 Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools. He encouraged them to pursue their dreams and goals in life. He also shared how he was inspired and determined to prove wrong those who told him he would never accomplish his goals.

Ruby Alvarez, an eighth-grader at American Way Middle School, has a budding interest in becoming an entrepreneur and said she drew inspiration from Jones’ declaration that, “If you can see up, you can get up.”

MCTAI hosts the youth luncheon annually as a celebration that highlights past achievements and promotes aspirations for the future in the field of aviation.

“The luncheon brings young people together to let them know that there is more to life than being average,” said Rory Mitchner, vice president and historian of MCTAI.

“We, the professionals in the field of aviation, have all come from humbling and diverse backgrounds. We persevered through the ups and downs in our lives to succeed in the Aviation industry,” said Mitchner, a pilot.

At each table were seated aviation community representations from Pilots in Uniforms, Mechanical Students from TN Tech, Air Traffic Controllers, and Women in Aviation.

“We wanted to allow the students to speak one on one with professionals, giving them an opportunity to ask questions and have general conversation about their journey in accomplishing their goal in the field,” Mitchner said.

Dr. Linda Lane, a counselor at Highland Oaks Middle School said, “I love going to the annual luncheons. I learn something new each time and it opens up the mind of our students who normally think about traditional careers as doctors, lawyers, police and fireman. Aviation is not a career that students usually think about. Now, we have students who are interested and feel good about seeing black aviators in person, unlike what is seen on television.”

American Way Middle School guidance counselor, Shawanna Tompkins, said, “This was very inspirational because our students learned about the history of aviation and met African Americans in Memphis and surrounding states in the aviation field.”

Some students signed up to participate in different aviation programs and summer camps to learn more about careers in the field, said Tompkins.

2011-02-14T20:31:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (TAI) is a national organization of aviators with the principal goal of celebrating the achievements and accomplishments of Americans who share the same vision and aspirations as those pioneering men and women of the past who blazed trails in the field of aviation. Since 1997, the Memphis Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (MCTAI) has been a reflection of that goal and a premier source of connection with, and promotion of, the field of aviation in the greater Memphis area.

In keeping with this goal, MCTAI partners annually with the Memphis Aerospace Professionals (MAP) to assist in sponsoring a Youth Luncheon for area students. The Youth Luncheon is a celebration that highlights past achievements and promotes aspirations for the future in the field of aviation. The goal is to expose Memphis area students to the varied opportunities in aviation and, in turn, encourage them to continue on the road to success in education.

This year’s luncheon will be held on Friday, February 25, 2011 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Airport Holiday Inn in Memphis, Tennessee. We anticipate hosting 400 guests, including 300 students from the surrounding schools, aerospace professionals and community leaders.

As with past luncheons, our success with this year’s luncheon is contingent upon the support that we receive from corporate and community leaders, such as yourself, who proudly embrace our mission to promote the field of aviation and develop future aviation and community leaders who will meet the demands of the Global Marketplace.

We would like to extend a personal invitation to you and/or your company to participate in this monumental event as a Luncheon Sponsor. Your sponsorship would assist in covering the expense associated with providing a complimentary luncheon for the student and teacher attendees. As a sponsor, you or your Company/Organization, will receive recognition in our printed Luncheon souvenir journal. The attached Sponsorship Category and Commitment Form provides an explanation of the Sponsorship levels.

Over the years, support for the Youth Luncheon has been phenomenal, as evidenced by committed sponsors, such as BCF, FAA, MCTAI, Memphis Blackhawks, NBCFAE, OBAP, and Women in Aviation, to name a few. We hope that you will allow us to include your organization in this impressive list of sponsors this year!

Thank you for your time and consideration. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at (901) 292-3556. You may also find additional information about MCTAI at our website www.taimemphis.org.

Sincerely,

Rory D. Mitchner
2011 MAP Luncheon Chairperson

Girls Scout Heart of the South Aviation Camp

2010-03-12T07:08:00.001-08:00

Save-the-Date!
Girl Scouts Heart of the South Aviation Camp
Presented by
Women in Aviation Memphis Belles

Date: April 10, 2010
Time: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Tennessee Aviation Technology Center
3435 Tchulahoma Road
Memphis, TN 38118
For volunteer opportunities, contact president@memphis-belles.org

The purpose of the camp is to facilitate a technical aviation curriculum for the Girl Scouts to receive their aviation merit badge

Aviation Youth Luncheon in Memphis

2010-02-03T09:46:00.000-08:00

2010 MEMPHIS AVIATION PROFESSIONALS Annual Luncheon and Youth Awards:
Date: Friday, February 26, 2010
Time: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Place: Holiday Inn Select at 2240 Democrat Road Note!!! This is not the same
hotel location used last year
Theme: "Dream To Achieve"
Guest Speaker: Jamail Larkins (Young Pilot)
Diamond Presenting Sponsor - $250 (Logo/Name on Program)
Gold Sponsor - $100 (Name on Program)
Silver Sponsor - $50 (Name on Program)
Patron Sponsor - $25 (Name on Program + donate a ticket to sponsor a student)

Purchase a Ticket to attend - $25
Please purchase your tickets by 02-18-10
Email rudc9@aol.com or taimem@aol.com for ticket info
Make checks payable to: Memphis Chapter - TAI

Please advise how many tickets you plan to purchase. As usual, we are asking each member to purchase at least two tickets (or participate as a Diamond, Gold, Silver, or Patron Sponsor). NBCFAE is the host of the Youth Luncheon this year. Please note that Sponsorships do not include any ticket to this event. If you purchase a Sponsorship and would like to attend, you must still purchase the desired number of ticket(s) in addition to the Sponsorship. Please let me know the following:

1) Will you be "using" the tickets you purchase, or are you "donating" the tickets back to the chapter to use to pay for children to attend the luncheon?

2) If you are "using' your tickets, what is the breakdown on how many adults and how many kids that will be attending with the tickets you are using? Kids are served different meals that have a different cost.

3) Please wear your Aviation Uniform to this event. We are expecting at least 100 kids and we need as many adult role models as possible to attend.

4) A flyer of the Guest Speaker is attached.

Please purchase tickets and provide above info to (taimem@aol.com) by February 18, 2010. Providing the info requested in items #1 and #2 will help us to determine how many additional school kids the Memphis Aviation Professionals can invite.

TAI Members and friends, please Email taimem@aol.com or contact Calvin Janes at 901 853-2053 for tickets and/or questions. You may also contact Rory Mitchner.

Calvin Janes taimem@aol.com
President

Rory Mitchner rudc9@aol.com
Vice President

Memphis Chapter, TAI

2009-11-24T11:42:00.001-08:00

Life Skills Mentoring Program

2009-11-23T10:25:00.000-08:00

For sometime now, Pinnacle has worked to develop a unique program called the “Life Skills Mentoring Program” with our local Memphis City Schools Students. This program hopes to equip our future young leaders with the necessary skills needed to work in a team setting while exposing them to a wide spectrum of fields that the aviation industry offers. This year, Wooddale High School in Memphis will partner with us for this program.

At the end of the program, the students will be debriefed and challenged on several objectives:
1) Each student will submit a formal write-up based on their “Life Skills” experience at
Pinnacle
2) Students are to offer a challenge on how to improve our work environment, safety culture
and other areas that they feel necessary for improvement
3) Students will be challenged about their career goals
4) Students will be asked what areas of the “Life Skills Mentoring Program” interested them the most

Captain Chad Harris

Holy Names Catholic School

2009-11-23T10:22:00.001-08:00

On Tuesday October 20, 2009, Lisa Slate and Captain Al Smith spoke to the 3rd through 8Th grade students of the Holy Names Catholic School. Each year during Aviation Week, aviation professionals volunteer to share their knowledge with students in the Greater Memphis area.

Ms. Slate and Captain Smith met with Ms. Barr, the school counselor. Lisa Slate is a Senior Aviation Maintenance Technician in FedEx Express' Powerplant Shop. She stressed the importance of a good education and told the student about the knowledge and training she received from Christian Brothers University, Tennessee Technology Center, Pratt & Whitney and GE Aviation. She said the training gave her the expertise and confidence that she needs to repairs and maintains FedEx Express' jet engines.

Al Smith is a FedEx Express Captain on the Airbus 300. Captain Smith told the students that he graduated from the University of North Carolina and received his flight training while serving in the United States Air Force. One of the students as him where he had flown. He answered all over the world. Then he told them about his service to America during the first Gulf War. Lisa Slate and Captain Smith ended their talk stressing to the students their potential and the opportunities available to them in Aviation.

Lisa R. Slate and Capt Al Smith

I really enjoyed Mr. Smith and Ms. Slate. The children enjoyed them as well. They asked a lot of questions about the aircrafts. They were really enthused about how much fuel the airplanes can hold, and the rate of speed they can go. They were well prepared for their presentation. I would like to thank you once again. I would like for them to also visit St Patrick Catholic School whenever their schedule will allow. The best time for this school is 1:00 in the afternoon. Please call me at 901-949-2674 concerning this matter.

Thank You,
Catherine Barr
School Counselor

Snowden Middle School

2009-11-23T10:20:00.000-08:00

Mr. Mitchner:
Please extend our thanks to pilot Lloyd Knight for his visit to Snowden last week. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in your Aviation Week experience - this year, we had approximately 80 middle school students (gr. 6, 7, 8) signed up
to hear Mr. Knight speak about a career in aviation. These are students who specifically expressed an interest in becoming a pilot, or other careers in the aviation field.

Mr. Knight talked about all the different careers in aviation, as well as the skills necessary for these careers. He shared his background with students and answered many, many questions. He challenged students to spend more time on their studies and a little less time on the phone and computer! The Snowden Guidance Counselors appreciated his professional demeanor and presentation.

This visit, combined with FedEx Captain Quincy Fitzhugh's visit on our College and Career Day, has given our students a valuable insight into future opportunities and possibilities. Thank you for arranging both speakers and for supporting
Snowden's career programs.

C. Funderburk
Guidance Counselor, gr. 6-7
Snowden School
416-6120

Hickory Ridge Elementary

2009-11-23T10:17:00.001-08:00

Wow, an incredible duo visited our school Hickory Ridge Elementary here in Memphis, Tn. Their names were Gerry Dupree, a pilot with FedEx and Thelma Rudd an Air Traffic Controller and Founder of the Bessie Coleman Foundation. They were awesome and our 5th grade team loved them. They talked to us about careers and what we wanted to be when we grow up. They both grew up with few resources but they overcame and developed to what they both are today. This tells me that you can be anything you want to be when you put your mind to it. They also gave us an idea of how their lives were before arriving at their careers and what they had to go through to make it this far. Ms. Rudd talked to us about the sacrifices of the first African American woman to get her pilot license, Ms. Bessie Coleman. Mr. Dupree talked to us about what his job involves. He also quizzed us on science and math. Okay now I see how those subjects are going to be around even after I complete school. We all enjoyed their presentations and would love to have more visits. The impression they left with me was no matter who you are, no matter what you want to do in life and when you want to do it, you can do!
5th Grader

To those in the field of aviation, thank you for opening a path for us young people. We really appreciate the presentations from Mr. Dupree and Ms. Rudd. It helps us, especially us young men to see an example of what we can be in life. Mr. Dupree was a good example of being a professional. Seeing him in his uniform was awesome! He spoke fluently and gave us some good advice about getting into any career. Ms. Rudd thank you for touching us and allowing us to think of what we could be in the future. Some of the young ladies have even changed since your presentation. Now some students talk like they could be President of the United States. Would you believe some students have even starting acting better and improved their study habits? If you have another chance, please come back and spend some time with us.
5th Grader

A couple of weeks ago we had Gerry Dupree, a pilot from FedEx to visit our school. We’ve had some awesome pilots to visit Hickory Ridge Elementary in previous years. Mr. Dupree’s career deals with geography, science, and math. These are subjects that I do excel in so his career captures my interest. The exciting part was when told us his destinations are sometimes Africa, Asia, Australia and China. I would love to travel to those exotic locations. Ms. Rudd gave us a brief history of Bessie Coleman and the opportunities that were denied to her. I now understand and admire Ms. Coleman for her sacrifice and determination. Ms. Rudd also gave us demonstrations of flight patterns and how important her career was for passenger safety. These are presentations that I will remember for the rest of my life. Please come back and visit our school.
5th Grader

Whitehaven Elementary School

2009-11-23T10:11:00.000-08:00

On Friday, October 23, 2009, the third, fourth, and fifth grade students of Whitehaven Elementary experienced an invaluable opportunity. Four dynamic, enterprising, charismatic and extremely dedicated individuals with the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) gave back to their community by introducing a group of third, fourth, and fifth grade students to the fascinating world of aviation.

Before the presentation, very few of these students considered flying an aircraft as a possible career choice. Now, however, “the sky is the limit” for these students, as they were introduced to the world of aviation as well as given practical advice by four distinguished guests.

Our guests, who are current employees of Northwest Airlines, were Rory Mitchner, a pilot for Northwest Airlines, Debora Cantron, an aircraft mechanic and Investigator for Flight Standards, T.J. Johnson, a program manager for Northwest who is also retired from the Navy, and Ernie Taylor, a pilot for Northwest Airlines and retired First Officer in the Navy. These highly credentialed employees unselfishly gave of their time, and talents last Friday, to impart knowledge to our students. Our students were continually engaged with information from learning about flying a plane to actually putting together their own miniature models. Deborah Cantron actively involved our third grade students in constructing “candy aircraft” models made from everyday items such as chewing gum, life savers and “Smarties”. Our students also simulated flying in a cockpit, preparing for takeoff and landing and asking everything they wanted to know about flying with Ernie Taylor. Officer Taylor and Ms. Cantron also visited with our fourth grade students and demonstrated how to construct their own airplane from drinking straws, mimeograph paper, and scotch tape. T.J. Johnson engaged our fifth grade students in interesting discussion about what they need to learn and master while in school if they aspire to become a pilot. He also involved them in constructing their own wooden model aircrafts and allowed them to “fly” them in their classroom. Pilot Rory Mitchner gave a dynamic oral presentation to our fourth grade students as he motivated them to do their best in school, by sharing with them his experiences as a student, as well as stressing the importance of learning to read and encouraging them to pursue careers in aviation, as there is not enough minority representation in the field. Additionally, Ms. Cantron brought informative coloring books to share with our younger students (Pre-K – 2nd grade) and T. J. Johnson offered the students a “once in a lifetime” fieldtrip opportunity to visit an Air Control Tower
Overall, this was an invaluable experience for our students – one that they will never forget. Students and teachers were intrigued by the presenters’ knowledge, enthusiasm and dedication. It was our pleasure to have the aviation representatives share with our students, many of whom were motivated to pursue careers in aviation as a result of this experience. Experiences like these unfortunately, don’t occur often enough for our students. Our faculty and staff realize that it was not an easy task to take time out of an already hectic schedule to come and speak to students about what they do everyday, but their efforts are much appreciated and will never be forgotten by the students and staff at Whitehaven Elementary.

Maria Austin, School Counselor
Whitehaven Elementary
416-0137 (office)
austinmaria@mcsk12.net
mdianwrd1@aol.com