Next Up Aviation and Avalon Carver Put L.A. Students in the Pilot’s Seat – Los Angeles Sentinel
Taking Flight: Inland Empire Nonprofit Aims to Diversify Aviation
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Fontana, CA – Dante kendrick’s passion for aviation took flight at a young age.Now, he’s dedicated to helping other young people, particularly those from underrepresented communities, soar to new heights. Kendrick,a seasoned pilot with over a decade of experience,founded Next up Aviation,a nonprofit organization based in the Inland Empire,to provide accessible and high-quality education and training in the aviation and aerospace fields.kendrick’s own journey began at age 14, fueled by a childhood fascination with airplanes. “When there was an airplane in the sky,I would drop everything I had in my hands and just stare at it,” Kendrick recalls. He started taking flying lessons, funding them through plane washing at Hawthorne Airport and with support from his family. By 17, he had earned his pilot’s license and has since logged countless hours flying various aircraft, including the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper.
“Most of my training has been sponsored by individuals who wanted to help me achieve my goals,” Kendrick says. This experience inspired him to create Next Up Aviation, where he aims to pay it forward.
Next up Aviation partners with the Fontana Unified School District and its flight and mechanics program at A.B. Miller High School. In January,the organization will sponsor four A.B. Miller students in their pursuit of pilot’s licenses. Kendrick also plans to establish a pipeline from Fontana’s middle schools to the Miller program,introducing students to aviation careers at a younger age.
“They love that idea – gathering the students at a younger age and getting them excited and interested and showing them different [aviation] career pathways before they get into high school,” Kendrick explains.
Next Up Aviation’s mobile aviation classroom, equipped with flight simulators and other educational tools, brings the world of aviation directly to students. Tony Marshall, a Vietnam veteran pilot and volunteer with Next Up, emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience. “Sharing the experience of flight with these young people is incredibly rewarding,” Marshall says.
kendrick’s vision extends beyond simply training pilots. He wants to create a more diverse and inclusive aviation industry.”Portrayal matters,” he says. “When young people see someone who looks like them succeeding in aviation, it shows them that it’s possible for them too.”
Next Up Aviation is taking flight, inspiring a new generation of aviators and opening doors to exciting opportunities in the skies.
Taking Flight: Compton Event Inspires Youth to Soar in Aviation
Compton, CA – The skies above Compton were filled with more than just planes last weekend. They were filled with the dreams of young people taking their first steps towards careers in aviation. the Next Up Aviation Career Expo, held at Compton-Woodley Airport, brought together students, educators, and aviation professionals for a day of hands-on learning and inspiration.
The event, spearheaded by Dante Kendrick, founder of the Fly Compton Foundation, aimed to introduce young people from diverse backgrounds to the exciting world of aviation. Kendrick, a pilot himself, understands the transformative power of mentorship and exposure.”We want to show these kids that the sky’s the limit,” Kendrick said. “Aviation offers incredible opportunities, and we want to make sure everyone has a chance to reach for them.”
Students from Kelly Park Elementary School, Compton; Valor Christian Academy, Redondo Beach; and Holy Name of Jesus School, South Los Angeles, participated in interactive STEAM workshops, explored career paths within aviation and avionics, and even took to the skies themselves in revelation flights.
The centerpiece of the event was Next Up’s mobile aviation classroom, a 36-foot marvel housing 11 flight simulators running the X-Plane 11 program. Greg Hill, a math and science teacher who helped design the curriculum, explained the vision behind the project.
“My ambition is to create astronauts – most astronauts start off as pilots,” Hill said.
Lina Forbes-Hill, a 4th grader from valor Christian Academy, was captivated by the flight simulator. “It was fun, and it felt like it was actually going to fly,” she said, expressing her dream of becoming a chemical engineer.
Reggie Morehead,a 6th-grade teacher at Kelly Elementary School,praised the event for bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications.
“It makes the connection to what we’re talking about in the classroom and real-life situations,” Morehead said.
The next Up Aviation Career Expo is a testament to the power of community collaboration and the importance of investing in the future generation.By providing access to resources and inspiration, the event is helping to cultivate a new generation of aviators, engineers, and dreamers who will take flight and soar to new heights.
Taking Flight: Compton Students Soar with Aviation Dreams at SciFly Event
Compton, CA - The roar of airplane engines and the thrill of flight filled the air at Compton-Woodley Airport on December 13th, as scifly, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring youth in STEM fields, hosted an exciting event showcasing the diverse world of aviation careers.
Fourth-grader Lina Forbes-Hill, beaming with excitement, explored a cockpit, her eyes wide with wonder. “I want to be a pilot,” she declared, her voice filled with determination. “I’m going to fly and it’s going to change the whole trajectory of our family.”
Lina’s aspirations were echoed by many of the young attendees, who engaged with aviation professionals, explored interactive exhibits, and learned about the countless opportunities available in the industry.
SciFly volunteers, including two FAA outreach specialists, emphasized the wide range of careers beyond piloting. “When we were younger, we would just [think of a] pilot or flight attendant,” said James, one of the volunteers. “These children need to know of all the opportunities that are out there for them.”
From engineering and building services to designing the interiors of airplanes, the possibilities seemed endless. Dave Phillips,a seasoned aircraft technician with United Airlines,shared his 37 years of experience,highlighting the importance of passion and dedication in a fulfilling career.
“You’ve got to like getting up coming to work, year after year,” Phillips emphasized, noting the ongoing need for skilled professionals despite advancements in automation. “Nobody wants to be in a plane that doesn’t have a pilot on it. When it comes to an emergency, you still need a human being.”
SciFly founder Kendrick echoed this sentiment,stressing the importance of exposing young minds to the vast potential within aviation. “These opportunities are unique,” he said.”It is indeed vital for our students to know that there is interest out there and there are opportunities. We want [them] to know it’s possible.”
The event showcased not only traditional aviation roles but also emerging fields like cinematography, drone operation, real estate, search and rescue, and even working for companies like UPS.As the day drew to a close, the young participants left with a renewed sense of possibility, their imaginations ignited by the promise of soaring to new heights.
Providing Access,Inspiring dreams: An Interview with Dante Kendrick of Next Up Aviation
Dante Kendrick’s passion for aviation took flight at a young age,and now he’s dedicated to helping other young people,especially those from underrepresented communities,soar to new heights. Kendrick,a seasoned pilot,founded Next Up Aviation,a nonprofit institution based in the Inland empire,to provide accessible and high-quality education and training in the aviation and aerospace fields.
kendrick’s own journey began at age 14,fueled by a childhood fascination with airplanes. Thanks to support from his family and through opportunities like washing planes at hawthorne Airport, he earned his pilot’s license by the age of 17. This experience inspired him to create Next Up aviation, where he aims to pay it forward.
Next Up Aviation partners with the Fontana Unified School District and its flight and mechanics program at A.B. Miller High School. In January, the organization will sponsor four A.B. Miller students in their pursuit of pilot’s licenses. Kendrick also plans to create a pipeline from Fontana’s middle schools to the Miller program, introducing students to aviation careers at a younger age.
“Portrayal matters,” kendrick says.”When young people see someone who looks like them succeeding in aviation, it shows them that it’s possible for them too.”
The Compton Aviation Expo: Hands-On Learning Takes Center Stage
These goals were brought to life at the recent Next Up Aviation career Expo held at Compton-Woodley Airport. This event, spearheaded by Kendrick, aimed to introduce diverse youth to the world of aviation through interactive STEAM workshops, career path exploration, and even introductory flights.
The centerpiece was Next Up’s mobile aviation classroom, a 36-foot marvel housing 11 flight simulators.
Greg Hill, a math and science teacher who helped design the curriculum, explained that the goal is to “create astronauts.<"
Next Up aviation is more then just training pilots. It’s creating a more diverse and inclusive aviation industry, inspiring a new generation of aviators, and opening doors to exciting opportunities in the skies.