State aviation JournalPage 30 2012 NASAO Special Edition

Since 1989, Wisconsin’s Aviation Career Education (ACE) program has promoted aviation and space education, offered extracurricular activi-ties and provided students in aviation, related jobs. This year the program was recognized for its achievements by being presented the NASAO Cen-ter for Aviation Research & Education’s Aviation Education Program Award. ACE was formed after for-mer Governor Tommy Thomp-son called upon affirmative action leaders to create programs targeting disadvantaged youth in the Milwaukee Public Schools. A steering com-mittee consisting of members from the Department of Public Instruction, educators, principals, aviation enthusi-asts, pilots, state government officials, airport employees and air transportation industry representatives, to develop an aviation-space education program, which became the Milwaukee Aviation Careers Edu-cation program. According to the Wisconsin De-partment of Transportation, “ACE has not only been successful in stimulating students to become interested in air transportation ca-reers, but also in developing skills needed to become productive members of the workforce.” “During the two years I was involved in the ACE program I interacted with many different people and you

learn to adapt to different personalities. Also, I gained a sense of attention and detail during this time,” explains Pablo Diaz who participated in ACE during consecutive summers and is now pursuing a degree in aerospace engi-neering at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Hands On Training

“We [ACE/Wisconsin DOT] have 35 interns from par-ticipating in this summer’s program, which usually lasts seven to eight weeks,” explains Nicole Wiessinger, Avia-tion Education Program Manager at the Wisconsin DOT.This year’s interns represent nine high schools from the Milwaukee public school system. The schools include Bradley Tech, Morse Marshall High School, Ronald Reagan High School and Washington Information and Technology. These interns get the opportunity to work at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. This year’s

By Lara Jackson

Wisconsin ACE Collects Aviation Education Program AwardNASAO

Chris Willenborg, left, presents the award to Scott Brummond, center and David Greene.

Doug Drescher

State aviation Journal Page 312012 NASAO Special Edition

participating employers include the 128th Wisconsin National Guard, Aircraft International Group (ASIG), Milwaukee Cessna Citation Center and Signature Flight Support. Signature Flight Support has been a participant in the ACE program for 18 years. Signature is the world’s larg-est fixed-based operation and distribution network for business aviation services. Signature services include:• Fueling• Hangar and office rentals• Ground handling • Maintenance Signature’s sister company, Aircraft Service Interna-tional Group (ASIG) offers many of the same services as Signature. “Over the years, the students chosen to participate in this program [ACE] have done an excellent job and have made excellent employees,” explains General Manager Doug Drescher, Signature Flight Corp., “The interns who work at ASIG do the fueling and servicing of the aircraft and are rather excited. In one instance, there was an intern who had to go inside the cockpit and give the pilot the fuel slip. Interns at Signature have more customer service responsibilities and deal directly with the pilots.” “It [ACE] provides many learning experiences for the students from general employment training and job skills to more specific aviation-related skills, such as learning about the air traffic control tower,” states Wiessinger.“Employers shouldn’t underestimate these interns’ enthusiasm, energy and willingness to learn and what they bring to their company,” shares Dre-scher. In addition to preparing young people to enter the “real world” and learn about the workforce, according to Wiessinger there are always a few students who are hired by participating ACE companies after an internship. A recent example is one intern was hired

by the Milwaukee Citation Service-Cessna and has been working in a fueling capacity. In conclusion, Diaz offers advice for those interested in the program, “Care about your grades – focus on getting a high grade point average. This was how I was able to get the position I had in my first internship year. Also, it shows you care about your education and you’re depend-able and someone who can be trusted.”

Nicole Wiessinger

Pablo Diaz