Wright Flight program takes youths to new heights

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. William Huntington
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (AFPN) --  Members of the 442nd Fighter Wing's Human Resources Development Council here are helping to motivate young people to do better in school with the Wright Flight program.

Wright Flight is an aviation-themed youth mentoring program that uses manned flight's notable pioneers, such as Orville and Wilbur Wright, as role models for students to establish and reach goals.

Wright Flight originated with Air Force Reserve pilot Robin Stoddard who noticed the effect aircraft had on young people. He decided to use that as a positive influence on them to help encourage them to do better in school.

Starting in 1987 in Tucson, Ariz., Mr. Stoddard developed the program and organized volunteers to teach it.

He also got pilots to provide a flight in private aircraft to students as a reward for successfully completing the course.

Wright Flight's mission from the outset was to use the inherent motivational power of aviation as a stimulus for students to set and achieve higher goals in their educational and personal development. The program teaches students, grades 4-12, that through commitment and hard work they can achieve the highest goals, including the opportunity to pilot an aircraft.

The program grew. It now has chapters in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Kansas, Florida and Massachusetts as well the 442nd's at Whiteman AFB.

The 442nd Wright Flight volunteers teach classes in inner-city and rural schools and, through donations, provide class materials. 

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