The Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY) held its third annual Aviation Career Education “Ace” Academy on Aug. 5 and 6. A North Carolina Department of Transportation grant

and donated time and materials from speakers, pilots and tenants at FAY made this the most successful year of the program. 

“This program continues to excel each year,” said Interim Airport Director Deontae Watson in a press release. “Bringing aviation to the next generation is not only rewarding, but also inspiring. We are in  the presence of future private, commercial, and military pilots.”  

Thirty-Five students from across the region, ranging in ages from 11 to 17- years old experienced “Discovery Flights” held by Cape Fear Aviation and Raleigh Professional Flight School. Some students were even able to fly the plane with guidance from a certified flight instructor. Their flight time was logged and will be counted as training hours to gain a pilot’s license. 

The ACE students were also exposed to different facets of aviation, and potential career opportunities. Piedmont Airlines spoke with students about the pilot shortage impacting the country and how they could gain their license to be a part of the next generation of pilots. Other institutions such as Civil Air Patrol, the NCDOT Division of Aviation, and the Sierra Nevada Company participated in the two-day program.  

If awarded the NCDOT grant again in 2025, applications for the next ACE Academy would be projected to open on FlyFay.com in May of 2025.