Inspiring the Next Generation

A young aviator embarks on a mission to inspire underserved communities to embrace STEM careers.

Arturo Weiss

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 09:26 AM ET

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Crossing the Andes mountains at 25,000 feet pushed Lee and his Piper Seneca to the limit. [Courtesy: Passage Flight]

Key Takeaways:

Lee Giat completed a 60-day "Passage" flight across the Western Hemisphere, a mission dedicated to inspiring underprivileged children in Latin America and the Caribbean through STEM education.
The journey also served as a deeply personal tribute to his late pilot father, who tragically passed away before Giat could share the project with him.
Despite facing significant personal grief and initial financial hurdles, Giat successfully funded and executed the mission with grassroots support, demonstrating that dreams can be achieved without large corporate backing.
During the flight, Giat delivered school supplies, conducted astronomy events, and led science experiments and workshops for children and teachers, now advocating for more such impactful aviation projects.

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Lee Giat landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Saturday, ending a 60-day extended flight tour of the Western Hemisphere, flying from North to South America.

His mission, called “Passage,” was not about getting a name in the record books, but instead providing school books, and other support to inspire underprivileged children to dream big. This trip was also a tribute to his late father.