Inside Fly Compton Foundation’s “Torqued Up” Workshop: Empowering the Next Generation of Aviation Technicians
On Saturday, April 19, the Fly Compton Foundation hosted another inspiring Fly Day—a monthly tradition where students are introduced to the world of flight through hands-on aviation training, simulator sessions, and real-time experiences in the sky. But this month, participants were treated to something special: the launch of the Torqued Up Workshop—a five-station immersive experience designed to teach students the mechanics behind the aircraft they dream of flying.
Through this initiative, Fly Compton Foundation continues to push forward its mission of providing equitable access to aviation education for underrepresented youth. By combining traditional flight training maneuvers with STEM-based aviation workshops, students not only fly—they learn what makes an aircraft fly.
A Look Inside the Workshop: 5 Stations, Endless Discovery
📍 Station 1: Welcome & Safety Briefing
The day kicked off with a proper aviation introduction. Students suited up in PPE—goggles, gloves, and ear protection—and received a safety briefing. As instructor Colin Forbes reminded them, “There’s a lot going on around aircraft. We want you to see it, touch it, but most importantly, be safe doing it.”
📍 Station 2: Tool Time
Students learned the names and uses of basic aviation tools, including calipers, screwdrivers, and wrenches. They were challenged to identify tools using flashcards, sharpening both their memory and motor skills.
📍 Station 3: The Guts of Things
This station brought flight instruments to life. Students learned how diaphragms and air pressure drive the function of altimeters, vertical speed indicators, and more. One mechanic broke it down by comparing air flow, static pressure, and how each instrument gives pilots critical in-flight data.
📍 Station 4: Build & Breakdown
Each participant got a chance to assemble and disassemble a miniature airplane model, using real instructions and tools. It was a crash course in technical precision and aircraft systems—practical, empowering, and fun.
📍 Station 5: Scavenger Hunt
With a scavenger card in hand, students went hands-on with a real Cessna 172 (the same aircraft used in Fly Compton’s flight school). Led by aircraft owner Wilbur Owens, students identified key engine components like the battery box, solenoids, carburetor, baffling systems, and magnetos. “This is what sets you apart from the next pilot,” Owens told students. “If you know your aircraft inside and out, you’re already ahead.”
Why It Matters
Fly Compton Foundation is redefining how youth, especially from underserved communities, see their place in aviation. These aren’t just flight lessons. They’re career exploration, confidence-building, and community investment opportunities, offered in a supportive, culturally familiar environment. As one volunteer said, “We’re not just teaching them how to fly. We’re showing them that they belong in this space.”
Fly Compton also offers one of the lowest flight training rates in Los Angeles County—just $155/hour for a Cessna 172, and no membership fees. It’s aviation made accessible and purpose-driven.
Get Involved
The momentum is real—and it's only growing.
What we witnessed during the Torqued Up Workshop is just one example of what's possible when access meets opportunity. These students aren’t just learning aviation—they’re discovering confidence, discipline, and the power of their potential.
But we can’t do it alone.
If you believe in building pathways into aviation and STEM for underrepresented youth, there’s a place for you here:
Donate to fund flight hours, tools, and workshop materials
Volunteer your time, skills, or mentorship
Sponsor a student’s journey toward becoming a licensed pilot
Explore more at flycomptonfoundation.org
We’re not just preparing the next generation to fly—we’re preparing them to lead. One flight at a time.
