Fly Compton Hosts OBAP’s 2025 Los Angeles ACE Academy for a Day of Flight
On Friday, July 11, 2025, Fly Compton Foundation proudly opened its doors to host the 2025 OBAP Los Angeles Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy, delivering a full day of hands-on aviation learning for 35 students from across Los Angeles.
Throughout the day, our team provided an unforgettable immersion into the world of aviation, giving students the chance to learn, train, and take to the skies.
A Day of Immersion at Fly Compton
Our team welcomed students to the Compton Woodley Airport campus for a condensed solo flight academy experience. Students rotated through:
Ground school sessions covering aviation basics and safety
Simulator time to practice takeoffs, landings, and flight planning
Pre-solo written assessments introducing them to real pilot requirements
And the highlight of the day: scenic flights over Compton, with every student taking to the skies once the weather cleared
What started with push-ups, setting the tone for discipline and focus, quickly transformed into a day where students built confidence, asked questions, and left with their eyes set on new possibilities.
Why This Matters
This collaboration underscores why community partnerships are essential for the future of aviation. For many of these students, the ACE Academy is their first hands-on exposure to flight. For some, it becomes the spark that turns into a lifelong career.
As one student shared after the day was done:
“Flying was everything. I will be a pilot one day.”
Our Commitment
This year’s ACE Academy reminded us that representation matters and that local organizations like Fly Compton can change lives by showing students what’s possible.
We’re proud to partner with OBAP (Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals) and provide access to opportunities right here in Compton. It’s more than just flying, it’s about creating pathways and a sense of belonging in aerospace.
Thank You
Special thanks to Ronnell Norman, Mike Sherill, and our dedicated instructors for making this day happen, and to OBAP for trusting us to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Together, we’re preparing the next generation of aviators, engineers, and leaders.
Want to see the energy of the day?
Below are a few photos from the 2025 Los Angeles ACE Academy hosted at Fly Compton.
