From June 1 to June 21, Tennessee State University (TSU) hosted the United States Air Force’s Aim High Flight Academy (AFHA). By welcoming the program’s 19 trainees, holding courses, and facilitating trainings, the educational institution became the first Historically Black College or University, aka an HBCU, to host the summer initiative.
TSU reportedly told local Nashville outlet WKRN that the program consisted of students listening to lectures and completing flight simulators. The students were also scheduled to do “hands-on training” at Nashville’s John C. Tune Airport.
The trainees’ 15 hours of flight training each at the program’s end reportedly went toward their STEM and robotics educations, as well as individual pilot licenses.
Inside AFHA And The Selection Process For This Year’s Program
AFHA’s Instagram page describes the initiative as a “three-week introductory flight academy” that helps students “explore aviation pathways.” A flyer advertising the program, shared in September 2023, emphasized that it’s free. The post also noted that “students receive one-on-one training from Air Force and Certified Flight Instructors in a classroom, and in the sky.”
“A typical day in the program includes three key segments: flight simulator time, academic classroom time, and flight time… Other activities you’ll participate in include team building, study time, and character development,” added the post.
Those eligible to apply must be in high school or graduating seniors aged 16 to 18. Requirements include a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, “a strong work ethic,” and a “desire to learn about aviation.” Applicants will also have to provide an endorsement written by someone who knows them, and a letter of recommendation from a high school principal or counselor.
According to the Air Force Recruiting Service, prior aviation experience is not a requirement. Applicants also cannot have “more than five powered flight hours.”
The Air Force claims applications for Summer 2025’s AFHA program will open in Fall 2024. WKRN reported that students for 2024’s TSU session hailed from all over the U.S. and “as far away as Japan.”