ELLENWOOD — Aviation professionals from throughout the country converged at Morrow High School Saturday for the Clayton County Public Schools National Aviation Symposium.
The event featured keynote speaker Capt. Bill Norwood, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1959-65 before becoming the first African-American pilot for United Airlines.
He shared the struggles he had in his career but at the end, he told Air Force JROTC cadets that in order to succeed they needed preparation, patience and perseverance.
After group tours that featured flight simulators, drone demonstrations, and robotics demonstrations, Norwood said he was “very much impressed” with Morrow’s facility and program.
“This is one of the best programs that I’ve seen, and this is a beautiful facility — but more important is that we’re looking at youngsters who are going have a lot of success in the future,” he said.
He added that Morrow’s JROTC Flight School — the first of its kind in the U.S. — is a great opportunity for minority and female students who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to pursue an aviation career.
“Sometimes we put pictures of minorities and women but youngsters have to see the real person, and I think it does a tremendous effort and a tremendous opportunity for us to go through this — and I’m so pleased to be here myself with a group of young people who are doing well,” he said.
Brock Foundation founder Capt. Omar Brock also spoke at the event.
Brock has a passion for aviation — and for helping students (in particular students at Title I schools) in their aviation journeys.
It was a partnership between the Brock Foundation and Clayton County Public Schools that helped get the Morrow aviation program off the ground.
“I wish I had something like this when I was growing up,” he said.
He also shared that 3% of pilots are…
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