FAY Airport to host aviation academy for youth

By Staff Report, posted May 9, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

Photo provided by the City of Fayetteville

Applications are now available for the youth Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy hosted by the Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY). The two-day academy will be held on Aug. 4 and 5 at the Fayetteville Regional Airport’s Fire Fighting Training Facility, 3065 Radar Road, Fayetteville.

The ACE Academy offers middle and high school students an opportunity to get a hands-on, immersive experience in airport commercial areas, air carrier operations and FAA control tower operations. Students will meet professionals in the aviation industry, learn about potential career paths, get an insider’s view on operations within the national airspace system and see firsthand how air traffic controllers manage the skies and ensure safe flights.

Students who are interested in aviation, aerospace, or related careers can apply to participate in the academy at FlyFay.com. Applications are due June 6.

With aviation professionals in high demand, there is hope that participants will be inspired and explore careers in the aeronautical field once they complete the academy.

“We're proud to inspire the next generation of aviators right here at the Fayetteville Regional Airport,” Airport Director Andrew LaGala said in a press release. “Hosting the ACE Academy is our way of indirectly backfilling the shortages we currently see in the aerospace workforce. This allows us the opportunity to engage with this community that has given so much to our Airport.”

FAY was recently awarded a $5,000 North Carolina Department of Transportation grant to support the ACE Academy. This is the fourth year in a row that FAY has been awarded the grant to host the academy for students.

Airport operations support a diverse and viable economy. A total of 339,019 passengers chose to FLY FAY within the last year. According to a recent NCDOT Division of Aviation report, FAY contributes $829.2 million to the local economy. This study shows that FAY supports 5,285 jobs and generates $48.9 million in local and state taxes.

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