http://schoolsofthought.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/01/compton-kids-learn-to-fly-after-school/?hpt=hp_c3

Good story. The guy makes a great point about giving kids a focal point to tie together all their foundation school work.

I used to rent a Zlin for aerobatics from Robin Petgrave when he had Bravo Wing Helicopters. He was actually on Oprah - he always struck me as kind of a self-promoting, fame-seeker guy, but awesome that he's doing good for aviation and the kids. Sounds like the program is struggling.

I grew up in Burbank, CA and graduated from Burbank High in 1963. Compton was the last place you wanted to be after dark even 50 years ago. Hats off to them. Hope it works.

I fly down to San Fernando Valley often. I need to stop by to see these guys.

Tim

qmdv wrote: Compton was the last place you wanted to be after dark even 50 years ago. Hats off to them. Hope it works.

I drove through there a few times just 20 years ago, and it was super sketchy then, especially for a sheltered white kid from rural Oregon. That's why something like this is pretty cool, although it's merely a handful of kids. It will make a huge difference in their lives, but it won't do much for the overall socioeconomic issues of the area. Without the mentor running the program, it couldn't self sustain, I predict.

In a grander sense, aviation is special that way. Nearly everyone I know who has caught the bug and pursued their certificate(s) has professed that it made them be more excellent: More responsible, more disciplined, and more focused, and those things affected the other aspects of their lives.

That's cool!

Zane wrote:

qmdv wrote: Compton was the last place you wanted to be after dark even 50 years ago. Hats off to them. Hope it works.

I drove through there a few times in the early-mid 90's, and it was super sketchy. That's why something like this is pretty cool, although it's only a handful of kids. It will make a huge difference in their lives, but it won't do much for the overall socioeconomic issues of the area. Without the mentor running the program, it couldn't self sustain, I predict.

In a grander sense, aviation is special that way. Nearly everyone I know who has caught the bug and pursued their certificate(s) has professed that it made them be more excellent: More responsible, more disciplined, and more focused, and those things affected the other aspects of their lives.

You guys started a thread drift. So here goes.....

I used to have delivery routes in and around Compton. Was mostly always through there during the day. But once is a while dispatch would throw on a South LA stop that would put me there around 5-6 pm (after my hooty tooty Santa Monica and Malibu stops ). The shopping center security guy would come over and watch the rig and even two store employees would watch the back of the trailer as I'm unloading and bringing product into the store.

Another time dispatch threw on a pallet for a store right in the middle of South LA on the same route. But this time I didn't get to the store till 7-8 pm and the store was already closed. I walked down the street to call dispatch about the missed delivery (pre cell phone days). The dude stops me on the side walk and ask what I was doing in this area. I said I was trying to make a delivery. He said, "You do know what kind of hood this is when it get's dark, do you?". I got the message and got the hell outa there!!

I can see it now...



Gump