A Different Point of View student Andrea gets some hands-on airplane mechanic training during the nonprofit’s recent Aviation Career Program. Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — Local aviation nonprofit A Different Point of View (ADPOV) gave youth hands-on training in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) during its Aviation Career Program that ran June 24-26. This uniquely focused program, held at the Santa Barbara Airport, allowed students — ages 14-20 — to explore aviation and the many career paths available in the field.
Students began each day with leadership and self-awareness training, followed by interaction with airline pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, aircraft rescue and firefighters, aircraft mechanics and other leaders in the aviation field. During the afternoons, students received professional flight lessons based upon the FAA Private Pilot Syllabus as well as training in a full motion simulator and workshops in air traffic control communications and aircraft maintenance.
“We are very proud of our Aviation Career Program and all that it offers youth who may struggle with math and science or lack belief in their abilities to succeed in the world,” said Lynn Houston, ADPOV Founder and Executive Director. “Through our leadership training and professional flight lessons we really do show them a world they’ve never seen before. The ultimate goal is to inspire them to become their very best selves and help them to understand that their attitude, plus their sense of self, really does determine their performance in life.”
A Different Point of View was recently honored to accept a twin-engine Piper Apache aircraft from a generous corporate pilot, who wished to remain anonymous. The aircraft was used as part of the aircraft maintenance workshop led by Mike Linhart, an aircraft maintenance inspector for Above All Aviation and director of the A&P Intern Program for ADPOV, which is sponsored by Above All Aviation. Two ADPOV students, Jacob and Lucas, are in the A&P Intern Program and will be receiving their licenses in 2017.
ADPOV encourages a diverse student population as it mirrors the world in which they live. Applicants come from Santa Barbara County’s Juvenile Justice System, Noah’s Anchorage, Police Activities League, Youth Interactive, AHA, Peoples’ Self-Help Housing as well as word of mouth from previous students.
Full and partial scholarships are available for the program. Interested donors can sponsor a teen for $1,000 a year and have the scholarship given in their name. Donors were encouraged to meet their sponsored students during the Aviation Career Program and join them for an instructional flight.
The Williams-Corbett Foundation recently awarded ADPOV’s Aviation Career Program a $20,000 grant for 2017. ADPOV has also received grants from Arkay Foundation, Exxon-Mobil Foundation, Venoco, Inc. and Yardi for the 2016 program.
For more information about enrolling in the Aviation Career Program or becoming a donor, please contact Lynn Houston (805) 698-6784 or Lynn@ADifferentPointofView.org.
About A Different Point of View: A 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to engage, inspire and transform youth using flight lessons as a launching pad. Through its Aviation Career Program, Discovery Days events and mentoring, A Different Point of View shows students through aviation enrichment/education and mentoring, a world where opportunities are abundant and where life is a rich, exciting and promising endeavor.
The program takes place at the Santa Barbara Airport’s Visitors Center with flight lessons, simulator training and the aircraft maintenance workshop taking place at Above All Aviation. The board of directors for A Different Point of View for the last three years has been just as diverse as the students it serves: Judy Hawkins, Captain Paul Phillips, Martin Leyva, Susan Hayes, Mike Linhart, Terri Gibson, Tomas Bengtsson, Valeria Boffi, Randy Copperman, Susan Young and Angi Daus. Learn more about the program and sponsorship opportunities at www.ADifferentPointofView.org.