<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ku11i_0wEbMKe400" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ku11i_0wEbMKe400" width="1320" height="743" >BERKELY COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — Lowcountry students are reaching new heights and getting their first taste of an aviation career.The Lowcountry Aerospace Academy is teaching them that the sky is the limit through their LCAA Inspirational Flight Training program.“I learned I wanted to fly when I first got in the sky,” said Kelis Woodfield, an R.B. Stall high school Sophomore. She has been participating in the LIFT program for two years and has never been on a plane before. Now, she hopes to be in the Air Force after graduating.LIFT is inspiring students to aim high. The nonprofit is helping underrepresented students in the community explore and pursue aeronautical and STEM careers. Many students are referred to the program through their high school’s JROTC programs, others just want to try something new. And the students say it is an honor.“Just to know that you're handpicked out of your generation to be able to have this opportunity that a lot of kids don't have, a lot of kids pay for at that, it's free for me,” Woodfield said. “I feel as though this is a big opportunity.”At the free program, students meet with different professionals within the field of aviation and walk away with the idea of how they could venture into the great blue yonder. Students say the discovery flight, where they have a one-on-one opportunity to fly with an instructor, helped them take off on their path to success.“After that first one, you'll know exactly what you want to do,” said Dalia Touma, an R.B. Stall high school junior.After being inspired by the LIFT program Touma said she wants to be a pilot."After high school, I plan on going to the Air Force hopefully," Touma, "Or go to some flight school.”From airline pilots to ground technicians and aeronautical engineers the possibilities for an aviation career are endless.Senior at Berkley High School Kaydence Bunch said students should take advantage of this unique opportunity.“If you're thinking about a career in aviation, this would be really good for you,” Bunch said.Every third Saturday of the month during the academic year at the Berkley County Airport, students ages 15 to 19 are given professional mentoring, FAA-certified ground schooling, flight simulation training and take to the skies with Carolina Sky Flight Training Instructors all at no cost to students.Kirk Bennett was once a student in the LIFT program. Now he has his pilot's license and is working as an instructor in the same program that helped get his dreams off the ground.“The ability to get a free flight is always huge,” he shared. “Each flight is around $200 per flight so you really have to take it seriously if you want to do it.”Bennett shared that discovery flights are pivotal in any young aviator's career. He shared he’s appreciative to be part of the program as an instructor.“I get a chance to expose everyone to the world of aviation which is really hard to do with limited resources,” he said.LIFT’s goal is to empower high school, and college students and encourage them to continue with their aviation training. The president of The Lowcountry Aerospace Academy Lieutenant Cornel Lonnie Ford says their program helps students of all kinds soar.“People who go through it right now, they're climbing the walls that somebody built for them,” he said. “Be it racial walls or gender walls, somebody built a wall where that person could not get there. All we are doing now is giving that person the opportunity to get over that wall.”The president shares the LIFT program aims to increase the number of women and people of color who enter the field of aviation, at a time when women and people of color make up less than 20% of the industry.After attending the free clinics students are eligible for a $2,500 scholarship they can use to continue flight school. Instructors say their goal is to inspire the next generation of aviators one flight at a time.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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Lowcountry Aerospace Academy helping students 'LIFT' off

BERKELY COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — Lowcountry students are reaching new heights and getting their first taste of an aviation career. The Lowcountry Aerospace Academy is teaching them that the sky is the limit through their LCAA Inspirational Flight Training program. “I learned I wanted to fly when I first...