When he first put pen to paper for his dream to introduce more young people to aviation, Lt. Col. Kenyatta Ruffin knew exactly who he needed to reach: youth in underserved populations across the US. Ruffin had gained so much from his hard work and the opportunities presented to him through his military service that he asked himself, “How can I pay it forward?” Ruffin was introduced to aviation through the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals in 1994, then appointed to the Air Force Academy as a cadet in July 1999. With increasing responsibility through a career as an F-16 fighter pilot, he rose to command the 71st Operations Support Squadron at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma in May 2020.
Legacy Flight Academy Soars
Key Takeaways:
- Legacy Flight Academy (LFA) was co-founded by Lt. Col. Kenyatta Ruffin to introduce aviation to youth from underserved and underrepresented communities, inspired by his own military experience.
- Operating from Moton Field, LFA has provided initial flights to over 1,500 youth and reaches thousands more annually through programs like "Eyes Above the Horizon" that offer awareness and career exploration.
- The academy, primarily led by minority military aviators and volunteers, employs a three-pronged approach with seminars, scholarships, and connections to aviation heroes to diversify the aviation industry.
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