Paying It Forward

The Bob Hoover Academy catalyzes Sean Tucker's second act.

Julie Boatman

Tuesday, June 06, 2023 at 12:15 PM ET

Verified

[Credit: Jeff Berlin]

Key Takeaways:

Legendary aerobatic pilot Sean Tucker has transitioned from his solo career, which included donating his Oracle Challenger III biplane to the Smithsonian, to dedicate himself to the Bob Hoover Academy.
The Bob Hoover Academy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit named after Tucker's mentor, offers an approved graduation path for underserved high school students, providing flight training and ground school toward a private pilot certificate.
Inspired by his own challenging youth and the transformative power of mentorship, Tucker aims to instill character traits like resilience and purpose, helping disadvantaged students achieve significant personal growth and a path forward, with plans to expand the program nationwide.

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Aerobatic star Sean Tucker knew that he wanted to give back what he had learned from decades of flying. That’s one reason the performer launched Every Kid Can Fly, an after-school program, in 2014 with his son Eric. And starting in January 2016, the Tuckers began the transformation of that program into the Bob Hoover Academy—in honor of Sean’s mentor and aviation legend Robert A. “Bob” Hoover.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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