HOUSTON, Texas — Six young pilots in Houston recently got a once in a lifetime chance to fly with nationally renowned aerobatic and air race pilot Anthony Oshinuga.
Oshinuga invited this select group of aviators to be a part of his historic “Reach For The Sky” coast to coast mission sponsored by EPIC Fuels. During the tour, which runs from Aug. 17 to Sept. 3, Oshinuga is making appearances and fuel stops at 44 EPIC-partnered FBOs.
In Houston, the Aviation Community Foundation (ACF) and its partners collaborated to bring the six young pilots to Oshinuga’s stop at Pearland Regional Airport (KLVJ).
The group included three females, an international student, a prospective U.S. Air Force pilot, and college students from Middle Georgia State University and Texas Southern University. One of the pilots, Delia Nava, made history as the first Hispanic female to graduate Sterling Aviation High School in Houston, Texas, in nearly 20 years.
Two Cessna 172s, piloted or co-piloted by teen aviators, departed KLVJ just before 10 a.m. local time en route to Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (KFTW).
While at KFTW, the group of students and ACF volunteers toured the American Aero FBO. Students were able to meet with airport leadership and learn about airport operations. Finally, the students had the opportunity to engage with Oshinuga, take pictures, and receive guidance on their aviation and engineering career aspirations.
“This event gave students career inspiration, an opportunity to meet Anthony, and experience a day in the life of a corporate pilot and traveler,” said Kenneth Morris, executive director of the Aviation Community Foundation, who was also lead Pilot In Command.
The Aviation Community Foundation worked with national nonprofit members STEM Flights, A Different Point of View, Latino Pilots Association, Legacy Flight Academy, and Airport Minority Aviation Council. Other sponsors included the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Young Professionals (YoPro), Signature Flight Support, Moxie Global Consulting, Team Oshinuga and the American Aero FBO (KFTW).
The Aviation Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to mentoring students by providing life-changing experiences for those in underserved communities. In collaboration with aviation nonprofit members, the Aviation Community Foundation works to identify and connect top aviation educators and support them in leadership, strategy, and mentorship.
Reach For The Sky Tour
EPIC Fuels officials hope the “Reach for the Sky, We’ve Got the Ground” campaign will inspire more people to fly.
“Flight transforms us and drives our economy. EPIC Fuels wants to encourage more of that,” officials said on the tour’s website.
During the tour, Oshinuga is making appearances and fuel stops at 44 FBOs through Sept. 3. The tour covers 6,000 nautical miles in 18 days.
“FBOs have communicated great enthusiasm for this campaign,” said Marius Ronge, President, EPIC Fuels and Signature Select. “We all need encouragement right now, and this is our way of supporting our FBO partners, reminding businesses that these FBOs have been open all along, providing services essential to growth and our nation’s economic health. We are suggesting that with safety protocols in place, business and general aviation aircraft can safely return to the skies.”
During the tour, Oshinuga will conduct touch-and-goes with smoke at multiple locations with his custom Pitts Special S-1S single-seat biplane. The main draw is the man himself, EPIC Fuels officials say.
The Nigerian-born aviation enthusiast uses his humble beginnings to encourage others to achieve their dreams by leveraging the sky. Oshinuga made history in 2015 at the Reno Air Race National Championship by becoming the first African American rookie pilot to hold the first-place position after his third heat, which led to a second-place finish. Today he shares his passion for flight with everyone he meets.
“I grew up poor in California, and locating funds to fuel my passion for flying was an early challenge,” says Oshinuga. “I later discovered that passion was the fuel I needed. My partnership with EPIC Fuels gives me a platform to serve as an ambassador for an industry that is more than an essential service. It is integral to our economy.”
The Reach Tour kicked off in San Diego, then is looping around the nation through EPIC-partnered FBOs in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Oregon and back to California. A schedule is available on the tour’s website.
Take Part Virtually
Throughout the tour, EPIC Fuels and Oshinuga are posting regularly to Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Included are his insider’s view on tour prep for his Pitts, ensuring his aerobatic plane can successfully conduct this ambitious long-distance tour. Follow along with the hashtags #ReachForTheSky and #GoEPICFuels.