PRESS RELEASE – Project STRATOS embodies the Aerospace Center for Excellence’s (ACE) mission to Engage, Educate, and Accelerate the Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals. Stallion 51 believes in paying it forward and upward by mentoring those students with an interest in aviation. For the past 7 years, Stallion 51 has partnered with ACE in Project STRATOS– which encourages high school students to engage in a leadership development program.
Each year, Stallion 51 selects one outstanding high school senior who has not only displayed leadership abilities but has extended themselves to help others reach their goals. These exceptional students are contributing to the future of aviation by not only advancing their own knowledge but by bringing others along on their journey of discovery, demonstrating what it truly means to be a “Flight Lead”.
The Project STRATOS winner is rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a flight in a TF-51 Mustang with legendary pilot, Lee Lauderback. To qualify, program finalists must submit an essay. This year’s topic, “How would you advocate to help keep General Aviation alive?” addresses the need for General Aviation to nurture advocates in the role of keeping aviation accessible and available to the public. Further, each of the finalists met with Stallion 51’s Director of Operations, Angela West for a one-on-one interview.
Congratulations to this year’s “Flight Lead” winner, Juksana Mai Ngam! Ms. Mai Ngam received the honor of flying with founder Lee Lauderback in Stallion 51’s TF-51 Mustang “Crazy Horse II”. During the flight, she had the opportunity to take the controls and fly the iconic WWII fighter while Lee instructed her how to perform the maneuvers that won countless aerial battles during WWII.
West was very pleased with this year’s winner, and said, “Jenny is the epitome of all that ACE and Project STRATOS has to offer and stands for. She knew she liked aviation and wanted to fly but ACE has opened up the aviation world and all of its incredible opportunities. We look forward to following Jenny’s aviation career – with her, the Sky is Just The Beginning!”
“Winning the Project STRATOS competition meant that I got to experience a flight in an aircraft that played such an important role in history; it was truly an experience I will never forget,” said Mai Ngam. “As I get ready to start my career in aviation in the field of human factors, I can apply the first-hand experience of how the G forces affected my performance in the aircraft combined with my thought process as we did different maneuvers in order to maximize safety and reduce human errors in aviation. I am grateful to Stallion 51 and (the) Aerospace Center for Excellence for offering this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
ACE Scholarship Director Richele Floyd is very proud of Mai Ngam and all the of program participants, stating that “All of the students that participate in Project STRATOS are bright, talented, and well rounded. Thanks to Stallion 51 and our other sponsors, we are able to provide these young adults with rewarding opportunities and professional connections in the aviation industry.”
About SUN ‘n Fun Fly-In, Inc and Aerospace Center for Excellence, Inc.
SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to preserve and enhance the future of flight through world-class events, inspiring and educating people of all ages. Year-round events, including the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, one of the world’s largest aviation events, raise funds for the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE). The ACE mission is to Engage, Educate, and Accelerate the Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals. Proceeds from SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus events along with philanthropic donations and grants enable the delivery of STEM-related aerospace education programs engaging over 50,000 local youth each year. Additionally, ACE manages and allocates local aerospace scholarships. For more information, www.FlySnF.org and www.ACEedu.aero.
About Stallion 51 Corp.
Stallion 51 has been a leader in WWII aviation for over 30 years offering high quality orientation and check-out training flights. Stallion 51 Corp. is located at Kissimmee Gateway Airport, flight information is available at www.Stallion51.com or call (407) 846- 4400 or email mustang@stallion51.com.
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