SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — FBO ACI Jet has donated a Cessna 172 to A Different Point of View’s (ADPOV) Aviation Career Program.
ADPOV is Santa Barbara-based non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to “engage, inspire and transform youth using flight lessons as a launching pad.”
Using a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)-based approach, ADPOV offers youth programs in leadership and self-awareness, workshops in Air Traffic Control communication, Airframe & Powerplant maintenance, and flight training in both full motion simulators and actual aircraft.
The program also offers year round mentoring opportunities in which youth interact with ADPOV volunteers, such as airline pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, aircraft mechanics, and other industry leaders.
ACI Jet’s donated aircraft — a 180 horsepower version of the Cessna 172 — will serve multiple purposes in the coming months for ADPOV.
“The aircraft will initially be used for maintenance training with kids enrolled in ADPOV that are identified as potential A&P mechanics,” said William “Bill” Borgsmiller, president of ACI Jet. “They will be afforded the opportunity to refurbish the aircraft first hand.”
All costs associated with acquisition and refurbishment of the Cessna are being funded entirely by ACI Jet, as part of its continuing charitable commitment to ADPOV. Once flight ready, the aircraft will then move to ADPOV’s flight instruction program, where the aircraft will be used for primary flight training.
After a three month period of exclusive use by ADPOV for youth flight instruction, the Cessna will augment ACI Jet’s existing employee flying program, which currently operates a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza.
“This is another step towards ACI Jet’s goal of making aviation accessible to all of its team members,” he said. “Working with A Different Point of View allowed us to not only fuel the dreams of our employees, but those of kids in our local community as well.”