Williams Gateway STEM Open House by Michael "Thorny" Brewer
On Monday January 23rd, Mesa Gateway Airport kicked off their two-day STEM Open House event where they would showcase numerous civilian and military aircraft to over 500 fifth graders from five elementary schools in hopes of introducing them to all that aviation has to offer. The first day began with the students attending an assembly where speakers would share their role in aviation and encourage the students to explore the industry and get them excited about visiting the airport the following day. I had the privilege of being the final speaker to share my love of aviation through my own journey.
During my speech, I described how I got into aviation. Sharing how I became infatuated with flight from a young age, saving up every dollar I could for a flying lesson, soloing when I was sixteen and earning a pilot’s license when I was seventeen. How I became immersed in the general aviation industry after college and eventually answering my own desire to serve in the United States Air Force, even though I didn’t realize that desire as a younger man. I got to tell my own story of how aviation has played a pivotal role in my life and how much I enjoy sharing the joy of flight with others at every opportunity. I got to tell my story, which is a story that runs incredibly parallel to Cajun’s.
In my speeches I feel compelled to share Cajun’s story. Cajun was born just four short months before I was, and we shared our passion for flight through similar journeys growing up. Our paths to the Thunderbirds shared many commonalities. And the way I see it, the only thing that separated Cajun and I on that fateful day in April was the simple fact that he applied for the team one year before I did. Cajun’s infectious excitement in sharing his love of aviation with others was contagious, even having an impact on me though we had never actually met each other.
When Cajun’s Aviation Dream allowed me to award an introduction flight scholarship to two of the students at this event, I was ecstatic. After talking to the students for about half an hour, I could tell that they were excited about what they were to experience at the open house the next day. They were truly surprised and in awe to learn that kids their age can fly a real airplane! And at the end of my speech when I announced that the raffle ticket that they collected on their way into the assembly was an opportunity to actually go on one of those introductory flights provided by Cajun’s Aviation Dream, they stared at me with wide eyes and disbelief.
After I called out the winning tickets, the two students walked up to the stage with excitement and what appeared to be some disbelief. They expressed how thrilled they were to experience what I had just described to them and “actually fly a real airplane”. Seeing reactions like these remind me of my own excitement when I first started flying, and it is a privilege to be able to relive that joy through the eyes of others.
The next day at the open house, hundreds of students flooded the ramp and explored the aircraft on display. They came armed with questions for the pilots and crew accompanying the displays and seemed genuinely interested in the world of aviation. Some parents were even asking how they could get their kids an introduction flight and expose them to more of an industry that traditionally has a high barrier to entry.
The event appeared to be a success. For a couple of days, students and adults focused their attention on the unlimited paths that our industry has to offer. Many of them realized that the sky really is the limit to their dreams. For a majority of the students, this moment will pass and other interests will take its place. But for some, this experience will stick, and will become the pivotal point in their lives when the seed was sewn. Hopefully, thanks to Cajun’s Aviation Dream, that seed was planted with our two students selected for an introduction flight, and will hopefully blossom for the next generation of our future aviators.
Congratulations to the Discovery Flight recipients!
