SDSU hosts Aim High Flight Academy with Air Force

The South Dakota State University aviation program teamed up with the U.S. Air Force this summer to host two, three-week introductory flight programs for high school and college students from across the United States. 

The first session of the Aim High Flight Academy in Brookings was held June 11-29, and the second session ran from July 9-27. Thirty-four students from as far away as Hawaii, Florida and Delaware participated.

Students spent their time both on campus—where they received ground instruction, stayed in dorms, ate in Larson Commons and worked out at the Miller Wellness Center—and at the Brookings Regional Airport—where they used flight simulators and climbed into the cockpits and up in the air in SDSU’s Cessna 172 Skyhawks.

The academy aimed to inform, influence and inspire the next generation of aviators and leaders. It was funded by the Air Force, with no cost to students, and planned and carried out by SDSU.

None of the students had previous flight experience before coming to Brookings, but all had shown an interest in aviation, either in becoming a pilot or joining the Air Force, said Jared Weber, assistant manager of the SDSU aviation program. After 15 flight hours, five simulator hours and 25 hours of ground training, some students who showed enough progress throughout the academy were able to take solo flights at the end of the three weeks.

Students understand the pathways to becoming an Air Force officer and an aviator after completing the academy. Not only is it a good recruiting tool for the Air Force, it’s also a way for SDSU to showcase its aviation program, said Devin Bastemeyer, director of aviation operations.

Academy students could even get their foot in the door on potential career paths. Those 15 flight hours give students a higher score on their application to become a pilot in the Air Force, should they choose that route.

“The academy is giving students, who have thought about it but were maybe intimidated by aviation, an opportunity to come see what it looks like, both the college experience and the Air Force,” Bastemeyer said. “The exposure to it, seeing what it’s like, they get the confidence that this is something they could do.”

This summer is the first time SDSU has hosted the Aim High Flight Academy. Bastemeyer said a year of planning was involved to create timelines, schedules, curriculum, handbooks and more. More than 30 SDSU employees helped with the program.

Bastemeyer said the academy also helped keep SDSU’s certified flight instructors busy in the summer months, retaining program graduates. Between the two sessions, the students flew 505 flight hours this summer.

The academy paired students and United States Air Force Academy and Air Force ROTC cadets with current Air Force members who provided mentorship about various aviation professions and career fields. The students also received instruction and mentorship from SDSU aviation staff and certified flight instructors.

“I just think it’s a great chance for these kids to see what opportunities there are at a college that offers this type of program and talk to all the people in the military about the opportunities there, too,” Bastemeyer added.

For many students, the academy brought them to South Dakota for the first time.

Gabrielle Bernard-Ngujede, 16, came to Brookings all the way from Hawaii. She said she’s always been interested in the Air Force and plans to enlist after college, so her ROTC commander signed her up.

Tyler Johnes, 17, of Felton, Delaware, was applying for a naval flight academy when he discovered the Aim High Flight Academy online and decided to try for that one, too. He wants to be a pilot for the Air Force or fly for a major airline.

“I’m just looking for any way to get my pilot’s license. I want my private first, and then go to college and either get my other ratings there or go straight into the military after college and get my ratings from them,” Johnes said.

Joshua Bryant, a college student from Kansas and Virginia who’s majoring in aerospace engineering, learned of the opportunity through his Air Force ROTC captain. He said he appreciated learning more about aircraft and maintenance.

Brian Bilbo, a C-17 pilot for the Air Force based out of Charleston, South Carolina, was one of the active-duty pilots who served as mentors for the students.

“We make sure the students are motivated to go fly, trying to make sure that morale is high, handling any issues that we need to on the Air Force side of things. We’re here for the students to make sure they’re getting what they want out of the academy,” he said.

Bilbo offered students an overview on what military training looks like, coming from ROTC and the Air Force Academy, and National Guard and Reserve personnel offered background on their training and roles.

“We’re trying to be another set of eyes and ears, someone they can talk to if they’re curious about anything,” Bilbo explained.

Bastemeyer said the flight academy may return to SDSU next summer, possibly for a single session.

The minimum age to apply for the academy is 16 years old. If individuals would like more information about how to apply for future academies, details and requirements can be found online.