STEM Flights, a national nonprofit founded in 2018, has been working in the Mountain Home area since 2019 offering free flight experiences to middle and high school students. The organization’s mission is to spark interest in aviation, aerospace, and STEM careers, with a focus on helping young people explore pathways that are often not highlighted in traditional classrooms.Gerald Gaige with the Leading Edge Aviation Foundation has been working with the STEM program since it’s beginning. He tells KTLO, Classic Hits and The Boot News the program emphasizes all careers surrounding aviation.
Students apply online with a parent or guardian, complete a short learning module, and submit a letter of recommendation. Once approved, they are matched with a volunteer pilot mentor for a flight experience designed to introduce them to the many career options connected to aviation. Many participants nationwide later pursue flight training or enroll in aerospace programs.
Gaige says pilots in the region have supported STEM Flights since 2019, offering both mentorship and insight into aviation careers.
