New York City firefighter Paul Lampasso is the first recipient of an Able Flight Career Training Scholarship funded with the support of Cessna Aircraft Co.
Lampasso was on limited duty due to an earlier firefighting injury when he responded to the attack on the World Trade Center towers on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Despite having an injured knee, he continued to perform his duties, which ultimately led to full disability and his forced medical retirement from the fire department.
It was far from Lampasso’s first challenge. Years earlier he had attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and on was on his way to an aviation career when he was diagnosed with cancer. After beating the disease, flying wasn’t a option, so he joined the fire department where he served for 11 years.
Now, he will return to aviation with his selection as the first recipient of an Able Flight Career Training Scholarship. In May, Lampasso will attend Rainbow Aviation’s Light Sport Repairman course in California. Upon graduation he’ll receive his FAA Light Sport Repairman with Maintenance rating certification.
During the ceremony Cessna will also present its 2011 donation in support of Able Flight’s scholarship program. ?Able Flight is a national aviation nonprofit that provides flight and aviation career training opportunities for people with physical disabilities and is the only one of its kind in the United States.
For more information: 919-942-4699 or Ableflight.org
