Indigenous students from First Nations across Southern Manitoba have completed an intensive three day ground school and are preparing for their very first flights. The young people were selected for Eagle’s Wings Flight School’s (EWFS) first ever summer flying program and have had full days this week spending their mornings taking cultural awareness sessions focused on traditional medicines and ceremonies, treaties, and the history of Indigenous people in Canada. Volunteer flight instructors have spent the afternoons teaching on topics that the students will draw from in the weeks to come as they take to the skies: aerodynamics, forces of flight, and weather to name a few. The class will begin the airborne portion of the program on Saturday, Aug. 1, flying out of Southport, in an Allegro 2000 Advanced Ultralight aircraft.

Not-for-profit, Eagle’s Wings Flight School, is in its very first year of operation and is comprised of a volunteer-based board of directors whose mission is to to inspire at-risk youth to explore their innate gifts, build self-confidence, and develop practical life-skills through aviation training.

Board chair and flight instructor Joshua Cordery said, “These young people haven’t been in a classroom environment since March, yet this week I’ve seen a passion and excitement for learning that sets us up well as we head into our flying phase.”

EWFS has partnered with student sponsor agency Dakota & Ojibway Child and Family Services to offer both cultural and flight based sessions.

“I don’t think there’s anyone else doing what we’re doing: teaching Dakota and Anishinaabe youth about their history and traditions, and combining that with principles of flight,” added Cordery.

At the heart of this program is a desire to make opportunities available to youth despite any social, economic or financial barriers they may face. The EWFS team and their generous sponsors share a desire for reconciliation with our Indigenous friends and neighbours. Giving these youth an opportunity which they might not otherwise have had that will transform their outlook on their future is a what it’s all about.

The forecast this weekend looks great for flying, there are blue skies ahead for these student pilots.

Press Release https://www.skiesmag.com

Eagle’s Wings Flight School (EWFS), in Portage la Prairie, Man., is one week away from hosting six young people from across southern Manitoba for a brand-new flight training initiative for youth. Students will learn the basics of flight during a three-day ground school before they begin flying an Allegro 2000 advanced ultralight aircraft. Each participant will log a total of 12 hours in the air over the course of two weeks, learning take-offs, landings, and aircraft handling.

Dakota Ojibway Child & Family Services (DOCFS) is the student sponsor, and this year’s class was selected from a pool of over 25 young people ages 14 and up. The group will include a compliment of Dakota and Anishinaabe students from across Southern Manitoba.

EWFS is comprised of volunteer instructors, maintenance engineers, drivers and supervisors, and is spearheaded by a volunteer-based board of directors. When asked about the mission behind this new not-for-profit, flight instructor and board chair Joshua Cordery said, “this school has been a dream for years; I believe that learning how to fly will transform a young person’s perception of what they think possible for their future. Through the generous support of our sponsors we are committed to making this program available to student candidates regardless of any economic, personal or social barriers they may face.”

Portage is uniquely positioned just a few miles north of the Royal Canadian Air Force pilot training school and world-class facility at Southport Aerospace, which allows EWFS to draw from a wealth of experienced aviators ensuring that their students will receive the very best in instruction.

DOCFS executive director Doreen Moellenbeck is excited for young people to have the opportunity to learn about flying and said, “This experience will create a memory that youth can reflect on as they mature and plan for their future as our leaders. During this unprecedented time with COVID 19, we will work with EWFS to ensure the necessary precautions.”

Keep your eyes on the skies as you’ll see EWFS’ red, white and yellow ultralight taking flight several times over the next three weeks.

Press Release https://www.skiesmag.com