While some students will spend this summer doing odd jobs or hanging out with friends, 28 high-performing 11th and 12th graders from throughout the country will complete an intensive eight-week U.S. Navy Summer Flight Academy aviation program. Upon completion of the program, each student will earn a private pilot certification and college credits from Delaware State University (DSU), Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), or D2 Aviation School. During the eight-week Summer Flight Academy, each student will receive classroom aviation academics, and approximately 40 hours of flight training in either a Vulcanair V.10 single-engine aircraft or Piper Warrior (PA-28).
The program was established in 2021 by Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) to increase diversity in the field of aviation. The Navy partners with select universities throughout the country to provide the flight training to the participating students who were selected out of hundreds of applicants for the competitive program. The cost of the program is approximately $26,000/student, but is offered at zero cost to the student, and with no obligations. Most of this year’s CNAF Selects are from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the field of aviation, with an equal male/female split. The 2023 class also boasts multiple First-Generation-Americans who are leaders in their JROTC programs, and hope to serve their country by one day flying for the U.S. military. CNAF is proud of the international representation from this year’s cohort, which features Cadets with ties to Japan, Iran, Nigeria, India, Ukraine, and the Philippines.
The Department of the Navy sponsors the Summer Flight Academy program for students participating in Navy and Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. The program is a new STEM initiative that was selected for funding by the Naval STEM Coordination Office – located at the Office of Naval Research – which oversees investments in STEM education, outreach, and workforce initiatives.
“The primary goal of the CNAF Flight Academy is to expose diverse, young talent to Naval Aviation, and inspire them to join the profession,” says LT Olivia Barrau, E-2C Hawkeye Naval Flight Officer, CNAF Operations Officer for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and CNAF Flight Academy Program Manager. “For these motivated students, flying a plane and completing this program can empower them to consider Naval Aviation as a viable career choice. While we hope all our Cadets join Naval Aviation, we proudly contribute to their dreams of becoming aviators in any capacity.”
CNAF Flight Academy graduates from 2021 and 2022 now represent the program at all three Service Academies (USNA, USAFA, and USMA), and ROTC units and universities across the country at places like Morehouse College, Tuskegee University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical Institution, Virginia Technical Institute, Delaware State University, Ohio State University, Arizona State University, and Hampton University. Roughly 70 percent of the program’s alumni are now directly affiliated with the U. S. Military, mostly through commissioning programs.
