Become an Ace

Every summer for the past 22 years in Minnesota, students from around the State have had an opportunity to attend a fabulous summer program called ACE (Aviation Career Education) Camp. This unique camp held each June and July, opens doors to students that many people, even people in the industry have not walked through. It is nearly seven very full days of total immersion in all-things aviation!

The ACE camps for 2014 will be held June 22-28 and July 20-26. Each camp will accommodate a maximum of 30 students. Students must be entering 10-12th grade 2014-2015. While students from outside Minnesota may be accepted on a space available condition, Minnesota students have a priority in registering.

The cost for the camp is $575 per student. Students from outside Minnesota pay tuition of $675. There is a $50 application fee for all students that is subtracted from the total amount due from accepted students. There are also a limited number of partial and full scholarships available to students demonstrating the need for scholarship.

ACE camp attendees will get to experience first-hand, a number of aviation career fields ranging from pilot to mechanic, to airport manager, and many more. All students will participate in orientation flights in single-engine General Aviation aircraft, gliders, and helicopters, under the supervision of certificated flight instructors. Students will also receive a tour especially designed for ACE by aviation industry companies, aviation government agencies like the FAA, TSA and more. They will also receive hands-on experience learning the basics of flight and building hot-air balloons.

Students will also tour aviation museums around Minnesota. There they will have opportunities to learn about the unique history of aviation, the aircraft, and many men and women whose work and sacrifices have made aviation the best and safest way to travel across the country, or around the world.

The breadth and depth of the aviation experience through ACE Camp is tremendous and is an opportunity that can only happen through programs like this.

The partnerships between the ACE team members, which is made up of Federal Aviation Administration and Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Aeronautics personnel, continues to grow and steadfastly supports this amazing program for students in the tenth through twelfth grades. Together with aviation professionals, they open doors to the students to show the many facets and unique careers in aviation.

When the students arrive, they arrive as individuals. When the students graduate a mere seven days later, they graduate as focused, motivated young adults, who are now team players and who have made lifelong friends and contacts through ACE Camp. Their investment in this one very special week gives them the opportunity to choose a career path that touches their passion, enhances their skills, and sets their course for a bright and productive future.

For additional ACE information go to http://www.mnacecamp.org