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:
- Lt. Col. Kenyatta Ruffin founded Legacy Flight Academy (LFA) to introduce aviation to youth from underserved populations, motivated by his own military career and a desire to "pay it forward."
- Based at Moton Field, the home of the Tuskegee Airmen, LFA has provided "pre-discovery flights" and aviation exposure to over 1,500 youth from underrepresented groups since 2015, aiming for an annual flight target inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen.
- LFA employs a three-pronged approach focusing on awareness, engaging activities, and career exploration through programs led primarily by minority military aviators, connecting youth with diverse aviation professionals and historical figures.
- The organization adapted its outreach during the pandemic, continues to offer scholarships, and plans expanded seminars across the U.S. to further support and inspire young people in aviation.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
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