Each summer Delta and the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP) invite more than seventy students to attend the Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy in Atlanta. During the two annual week long sessions, ACE campers take field trips to different aviation facilities, including tours of World Headquarters and the Atlanta airport, and they hear from a variety of guest speakers.
I am one of the very lucky students who was selected to participate in the ACE Academy this year. All of the students met in the auditorium of the Delta World Training Center, where we were briefed on all of the activities we would be taking part in on that day.
Our first activity of the day was a tour of Delta’s Technical Operations Center. I was amazed at the fine detail that the maintenance workers put into the aircraft and their various parts. Before this experience I never knew that there were so many people behind the scenes who kept all of Delta’s fleet safe and operable. One of the most astonishing objects I saw was the engine of a Boeing 777, which is the biggest in the world.
The next activity we participated in was a tour of Hartsfield – Jackson Atlanta International Airport itself. I was very excited when I was told how close we would get to the airplanes. Our first stop was the Bomb Squads office. Officer Botts, who operates the machinery required to safely handle and detonate the bombs also showed us the large containment chambers along with the robots that collect the explosives or suspicious items.
Our next stop on the Hartsfield tour was Radar Hill, which has the best view of all the runways. As I stood atop Radar Hill I saw the plane I one day hope to fly, the Boeing 747 in its new Delta colors coming in for a landing.
Our final stop of the day was the Hartsfield Jackson Fire Department. The fireman showed us around their facilities. Next they allowed us to ride in the Fire truck while he showed us some of the systems such as the infrared cameras and water cannons.
As an Ace Academy student, I have enjoyed the first day. The highlight of the day for me was seeing the Delta Airlines Boeing 747. I am looking forward to tomorrow, which the instructors promise will be even better.
Do you know someone who might want to participate in the ACE Academy next year?
Admission is offered to boys and girls from 14 to 18 years old who have an interest in learning about aviation. Stay tuned here at the Delta blog for more behind the scenes stories from camp in the coming days.
Rayjhan Bethune
15 years old
Conyers, Georgia