Welcome to WrightFlightWright Flight, Inc., created in 1986, is named for the Wright brothers. We believe that the Wright brothers' example of setting goals and achieving them through hard work and discipline can be used as a model for today's youth. Through Wright Flight, children also learn about the history of aviation. In addition, they are exposed to many career opportunities in aviation and other technical career fields. Wright Flight, Inc. offers a variety of programs which use aviation as a motivation. Typically, a student enrolled in the program sets an academic or behavioral goal that he or she contracts to improve. The contract also stipulates that the student must pass the Wright Flight aviation history course in addition to remaining drug and alcohol free. Our Mission:The mission of Wright Flight is 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. From the examples of aviation role models, we teach students that through commitment and hard work they can achieve their own goals, earn the reward of exciting aviation-related experiences, and develop a more positive self concept. Awards:Wright Flight has received many J.C. Penny Golden Rule Award Aviation Links:Cessna Aircraft |
History of WrightFlight:Wright Flight, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation which was founded in 1986 in Tucson, Arizona by Robin Stoddard. Robin, an Air Force Reserve fighter pilot, noted the profound effect that airplanes have on youngsters. He decided to use that interest to motivate kids to do better in school. Working almost single-handedly at first, he developed the program materials and organized a group of volunteers and pilots to teach the program and ultimately to fly the graduating students. Since its humble beginnings, the program has grown significantly in both scope and size, with over 750 successful students graduating in the Tucson area during this school year and approximately 10,500 since its inception. New chapters are springing up across the country in addition to the Tucson headquarters and the Phoenix branch. North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Kansas, Missouri, Massachusetts and Florida have proven successful with their chapters. The various chapters of Wright Flight involve the coordination of volunteers, pilots, schools, teachers, and business people from the surrounding community. The task of choreographing this variety of volunteers is extensive. Wright Flight, Inc. maintains a minimal staff with close to 90% of funds received going directly into the programs for the kids. Most program functions are handled by dedicated volunteers who truly are committed to "Helping Kids Reach New Heights." Wright Flight, Inc. is named after the Wright brothers. Our mission is 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. Wright Flight, Inc. stresses the importance of education by requiring each student to sign a contract before beginning the program. This contract requires the students to raise a grade point in one of their weaker subjects (i.e. raising a math grade from C to B), in addition to staying in school, off drugs, and out of gangs. If this requirement is not met, even though the student passes the Wright Flight "History of Flight" test, the child is not allowed to participate in the graduation. Once that requirement is met, then the student may experience the graduation thrill of a hands-on flight in a small aircraft as a co-pilot. Wright Flight offers three programs to students: the Minute Man program for students grades 3-8, the Wright Flight course for students grades 5-12, and the Voyager program (a navigation course) for students grades 4-12. These programs are taught at the respective schools in the Arizona area and all are nine-week courses. Elementary, middle school, and high schools participate as well as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, the Jewish Community Center, Indian Reservation schools, and home school units. Our volunteers come from many organizations such as Kiwanis, the Rotary, the Zonta Club, Officers' Wives Club, Enlisted Wives Club, Air Force Association and Tucson Airport Authority. Many individuals volunteer their time through schools, including counselors, teachers, and parents. Volunteer pilots form the essential component of the graduation day flying experience. The combination of family groups all coming together for the fly day event is heart warming. The graduating student may invite friends and family to share in his/her day as a co-pilot which includes food, fun, and camaraderie. Each graduate is given a Wright Flight T-Shirt, a photo of themselves with their pilot and plane plus their first flight graduation certificates as our gift to them for their hard work. |
