As part of a regional corporate equity and inclusion initiative that is wrapping up a third successful year, students from Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy will participate in a unique culminating event at Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin on Friday, May 29.

Five students, who entered the program two years ago as eighth graders and served as mentors for incoming students this year, will have the chance to take a “Discovery Flight” with the Pittsburgh Flight Training Center, as well as observe operating procedures up close and personal at a general aviation airport.

Students will be given the opportunity, if they wish, to fly in single engine propeller planes with a flight instructor, the same as if they were taking an initial flying lesson. Additionally, students will have the chance to speak with airport professionals including pilots, EMS personnel, mechanics, control tower employees and ground support/airfield employees.

Schedule of Events

8:45 a.m. Arrival of Students to Main Terminal Conference Room

8:45-9:30 Introductions and Breakfast

9:30-10:30 STAT MedEvac Tour of Hangar and Helicopter, Intro to Aviation Careers

10:30-11:30 Tour of Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Intro to School and Career Paths

11:30-12:45 Airplane Rides sponsored by PIA; Tours of AGC

12:45-1:45 Lunch and Wrap-Up Discussion in Terminal Conference Room


“We’ve been very pleased to have the students out at Pittsburgh International Airport to highlight our great employees and service providers, and to show them numerous opportunities for rewarding careers in aviation,” said Authority CEO Christina Cassotis. “We’re even more excited to have them participate in the Ready for Take Off event at Allegheny County Airport that includes actual flights.”

The Airport Authority joined other local companies participating in the Corporate Equity & Inclusion Roundtable (CEIR) initiative, which develops strategies for recruiting, promoting and retaining minorities, in November 2013. The initiative was organized by the Black Political Empowerment Project, with support from the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. The effort has included community and business leaders throughout Western Pennsylvania.

An initial group of 25 students from Westinghouse attended a kick-off event at Pittsburgh International in which they were introduced to various career opportunities and airport professionals including those in airline and air service development, safety and security, wildlife and environmental management, operations and air traffic control, maintenance, engineering and other departments.

Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy, located in the Homewood section of Pittsburgh, offers a variety of courses to meet the needs, abilities, and interests of its approximately 600 students in grades 6-12.

Next month, the Airport Authority will share success stories from the initiative with regional leaders during the annual CEIR gathering at Duquesne University on June 22.

“The Authority is planning to expand the educational component of this important regional initiative to younger children as we work toward fulfilling goals of diversity, inclusion and equity for minorities,” Cassotis said. “This initiative is tied directly to the continuing economic prosperity of the region and to meeting our workforce needs in the future.”


Source:- Pit Airport