Ezzie Smith’s passion for flying was ignited on a college campus in Delaware in 2001. Despite being a freshman, he took a monthlong flight program and, within three weeks, was flying solo. However, he didn’t continue his training until 17 years later, when he vowed to not put it down again.
- After a successful college career, Smith became a police officer and eventually made a career change to become an assistant principal at Arthur Ashe Charter School.
- It was during his recovery from back surgery in 2018 that Smith rekindled his passion for flying, enrolling in a flight school to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot.
Today, Smith is a licensed pilot and flight instructor, teaching ground school to students at Helix Aviation Academy, a charter school with a mission to close the gap between students and jobs in industries that may seem out of reach otherwise.
“Exposure is everything,”
Smith said, emphasizing the importance of providing students with opportunities to learn about careers in aviation, even if they may not pursue it as their career path. He attributes this lack of exposure to the limited access and resources available to many Black students.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s Women in Aviation Advisory Board reports that only 3.4% of airline pilots are Black, and only 5% are female. Smith believes that these statistics can be attributed to the lack of exposure and resources available to these students.
| U.S. News and World Report | Helix Aviation Academy’s student population is 94.6% Black, and 90% of students are classified as being economically disadvantaged. |
In 2021, Helix Community Schools launched the aviation career-oriented arm, Helix Aviation Academy, with a mission to provide students with opportunities to learn about careers in aviation, including flying, marketing, ticket agents, and more.
Smith’s experience as a flight instructor has taught him the importance of patience and perseverance. He recounts the time he spent 40 hours a week studying for his pilot’s license while working as an assistant principal, squeezing in flight hours whenever possible.
“If you’re going to teach our students to fly,”
“you should teach me,”
Preston Castille, president and CEO of Helix, said to Smith during a flight lesson.
Smith’s goal is to prepare students for a career in aviation, not just as pilots. He emphasizes that there are many careers in aviation that don’t require flying, such as marketing, ticket agents, and air traffic control.
“There is more to careers in aviation than being a pilot,”
“It’s not just about flying, it’s about the industry as a whole,”
Smith said.
The students at Helix Aviation Academy are eager to learn about the industry and its many career opportunities. During a recent visit, they asked questions about the safety of flying, insurance, and fire safety.
“Flying is the safest form of travel,”
“99.7% accuracy rating,”
Smith said, sharing a statistic to reassure students about the safety of flying.
As Smith continues to teach and train the next generation of pilots and aviation professionals, he remains committed to his goal of providing students with the exposure and resources they need to succeed in the industry.
The Aviation Industry’s Greatest Challenge
A 2024 report by the Aviation Technician Education Council projects a 20% shortfall in maintenance techs by 2028.
The shortage of skilled technicians is a pressing issue in the aviation industry, and Smith believes that providing students with exposure and training in aviation careers can help address this problem.
“Exposure is everything,”
“If you’re going to teach our students to fly, you should teach me,”
Preston Castille, president and CEO of Helix, said to Smith during a flight lesson.
Smith’s experience as a flight instructor has taught him the importance of providing students with hands-on training and real-world experience.
“I would get off at 3 o’clock from school, and I would drive to the local airport or the one in Hammond or here (in Baton Rouge) and fly for one hour and then drive home,”
Smith said, recounting his own experience as a pilot student.
The students at Helix Aviation Academy are benefiting from Smith’s experience and training. They are learning about the many careers in aviation, from flying to marketing and air traffic control.
“There is more to careers in aviation than being a pilot,”
“It’s not just about flying, it’s about the industry as a whole,”
Smith said.
As the aviation industry continues to face challenges, Smith remains committed to his goal of providing students with the exposure and resources they need to succeed.
A New Horizon for Aviation
The Helix Aviation Academy is providing students with a unique opportunity to learn about careers in aviation, including flying, marketing, ticket agents, and more.
“Exposure is everything,”
“If you’re going to teach our students to fly, you should teach me,”
Preston Castille, president and CEO of Helix, said to Smith during a flight lesson.
The academy’s mission is to close the gap between students and jobs in industries that may seem out of reach otherwise.
“We’re not just teaching flying, we’re teaching students about the entire industry,”
Smith said.
The students at Helix Aviation Academy are eager to learn about the industry and its many career opportunities.
“There is more to careers in aviation than being a pilot,”
“It’s not just about flying, it’s about the industry as a whole,”
Smith said.
As the academy continues to grow and expand, Smith remains committed to his goal of providing students with the exposure and resources they need to succeed in the industry.
“The future of aviation is bright,”
“And with students like these, I’m confident that we’ll see a new horizon for aviation,”
Smith said.
The Helix Aviation Academy is a beacon of hope for students who may not have had access to aviation careers in the past.
“Exposure is everything,”
“If you’re going to teach our students to fly, you should teach me,”
Preston Castille, president and CEO of Helix, said to Smith during a flight lesson.
Smith’s dedication to his students and his passion for flying are inspiring a new generation of pilots and aviation professionals.
“The next generation of pilots is on the horizon,”
“And with mentors like me, I’m confident that they’ll be ready to take to the skies,”
Smith said.
The Helix Aviation Academy is a shining example of the power of exposure and training in shaping the future of the aviation industry.
“Exposure is everything,”
“If you’re going to teach our students to fly, you should teach me,”
Preston Castille, president and CEO of Helix, said to Smith during a flight lesson.
As the industry continues to evolve, Smith remains committed to his goal of providing students with the exposure and resources they need to succeed.
“The future of aviation is bright,”
“And with students like these, I’m confident that we’ll see a new horizon for aviation,”
Smith said.
The Helix Aviation Academy is a beacon of hope for students who may not have had access to aviation careers in the past.
A Visionary’s Pursuit
Ezzie Smith’s passion for flying was sparked by his first flight lesson in 2001. Despite being a freshman, he took a monthlong flight program and, within three weeks, was flying solo.
After completing his flight program, Smith went on to pursue a degree in criminal justice and sociology, and later became a police officer. However, it wasn’t until 2018, when he was bedridden with back surgery, that he rekindled his passion for flying.
“I vowed that the next time I did, I would not put it down again,”
Smith said, referring to his decision to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a pilot.
Today, Smith is a licensed pilot and flight instructor, teaching ground school to students at Helix Aviation Academy.
Smith attributes the lack of diversity in the aviation industry to limited access and resources available to many students, particularly those from underrepresented communities.
“Exposure is everything,”
“If you’re going to teach our students to fly, you should teach me,”
Preston Castille, president and CEO of Helix, said to Smith during a flight lesson.
Smith’s experience as a flight instructor has taught him the importance of providing students with hands-on training and real-world experience.
“I would get off at 3 o’clock from school, and I would drive to the local airport or the one in Hammond or here (in Baton Rouge) and fly for one hour and then drive home,”
Smith said, recounting his own experience as a pilot student.
The Helix Aviation Academy is providing students with a unique opportunity to learn about careers in aviation, including flying, marketing, ticket agents, and more.
“We’re not just teaching flying, we’re teaching students about the entire industry,”
Smith said.
The academy’s mission is to close the gap between students and jobs in industries that may seem out of reach otherwise.
“The future of aviation is bright,”
“And with students like these, I’m confident that we’ll see a new horizon for aviation,”
Smith said.
The Helix Aviation Academy is a beacon of hope for students who may not have had access to aviation careers in the past.
A Bright Future Ahead
Ezzie Smith’s passion for flying was sparked by his first flight lesson in 2001.
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