ETA programs consist of three phases or “wings.” The introductory wing (Takeoff) aims to provide one introductory flight lesson – often called a “discovery flight” – to several seventh grade girls attending Baltimore City public middle school(s). The goal of these flights is exposure. We hope to create a lasting memory, expand horizons, and, for some, spark an interest in aviation and related fields. Wings two (Cruise) and three (Landing) are housed together at a Baltimore City public high school. Phase two consists of a short flight and ground training syllabus including five flight hours with a qualified flight instructor. Several 10th grade students participate each year. The focus of the Cruise phase is to further inspire confidence and to provide needed flight training for students interested in moving to ETA’s third phase, or, in pursuing other pathways to pilot certification. From the participants of the second phase of the program, students are selected to go on to the third “wing.”
The third phase or “wing,” (Landing), fully funds private pilot certification for a subset of participants selected from phase two. Phase two participants who feel inspired to pursue piloting, apply and are selected based on many criteria. Landing wing flight training occurs during the junior or senior year of high school and all associated costs are funded by ETA. Mentoring and tutoring are available throughout flight training and college/career counseling and follow-on guidance focuses on pathways to professional aviation careers.
All flight training for ETA programs is conducted by our partner, Brett Aviation. Brett is Baltimore’s premier FAA Certified, Part 141 flight school and has been leading the way in training Baltimore’s next generation of pilots for over 35 years. We envision beginning phase one and phase two operations during the 2021 – 2022 academic year!