A Field Trip to the Airport — General Aviation News

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Sheltair welcomed 25 girls from Girls Inc. of Pinellas County for an unforgettable trip at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (KPIE) on July 12, 2024.

Aimed to inspire the next generation of pilots, the event provided girls ages 5-10 with hands-on experience in the aviation industry.

Girls Inc. of Pinellas County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young girls through their After School Enrichment Program, Summer Camp and Spring Break Camps.

“Collaborations like the one with Sheltair are critical to showing girls what is possible for them,” explains Amanda Serrano, curriculum director at Girls Inc. “If they can see it, they can dream it, and ultimately, they can be it.”

The field trip began with a tour of Sheltair’s facilities at KPIE, followed by a visit to the Clearwater Airport Fire Department. Here, the girls were able to see the fire trucks up close, learn about the daily tasks of the rescue team, and watch a water cannon demonstration.

The next stop was the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department hangars, where they were introduced to state-of-the-art helicopters.

Highlights of the trip included a visit to the rescue helicopter hangars, where a pilot invited each girl to sit in the cockpit of a private plane, which officials said “made for a truly unforgettable experience.”

The day concluded with a motivational session from Mariah Smith, president of Women in Aviation Tampa Bay, who engaged the girls in an aviation quiz and promoted the upcoming Girls in Aviation Day event in September.

According to Sheltair President Lisa Holland, the field trip is part of Sheltair’s efforts to reach out to the community and support educational initiatives that encourage young people to consider a career in aviation.

“By providing these unique opportunities, Sheltair hopes to inspire and encourage future leaders and innovators in the field,” company officials added.

For more information: SheltairAviation.com, GirlsInc-Pinellas.org