Wright Flight soars -- program takes youth to new heights

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. William Huntington
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Following a tradition established by now-retired Col. Dewayne Burgess, the 442nd Fighter Wing's Human Resources Development Council continues to sponsor the Wright Flight program at area schools.

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

Wright Flight 's origins are with Air Force Reserve pilot Robin Stoddard who noticed the effect aircraft had on youth. He decided to use that as a positive influence on them to help motivate them to do better in school.

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

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

Wright Flight's mssion 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. We teach students, grades 4-12, that through commitment and hard work they can achieve the highest goals, including the opportunity to pilot a light aircraft."

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

The 442nd Wright Flight volunteers teach classes at inner city and rural schools and, through donations from organization such as the wing's Reserve Officer Association chapter, provide class materials.