LAX’S SUMMER ACE ACADEMY DARES YOUTH TO LOOK BEYOND THE SKIES FOR AVIATION CAREERS

 (Los Angeles, California – July 1, 2010)   Local youth will get a chance to broaden their horizons and learn about various aviation careers as part of LAX’s Summer ACE (Aviation Career Education) Academy that will be held from Monday, July 12 through Friday, July 16.  This free week-long program will showcase aviation-related careers that are based in Los AngelesInternationalAirport (LAX) and Van Nuys General Aviation Airport (VNY).

More than 20 students, ages 12-17, are expected to participate in this year’s ACE program and represent youth from the surrounding LAX communities .  Students were selected to participate in the program based on their interest and a teacher or counselor recommendation.

“We have an exciting line-up for the students ranging from highly technical careers in the Federal Aviation Administration to daring careers in the U.S. Coast Guard and LAX Airport Police,” said Maria Tesoro-Fermin, LAX Community Relations Director.  “Our hope is that the students walk away with a piqued interest to aviation and are motivated to take the next steps in preparing for their future.”

This year’s session includes a tour with Southwest Airlines, FedEX, as well as presentations from U.S. Coast Guard. Los Angeles Fire Department and LAX Airport Police.

“Often in the beginning of the week, students are under the misconception that aviation is only about flying, but by the end of the week they learn that all the principles that they’ve been learning in school can lead to careers in aviation, travel or international trade industry,” said Tesoro-Fermin.