Quality Score
Limited Data
Base (15) + components above = 21
About
Fly Compton Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered at Compton/Woodley Airport that opens the flight deck to youth who rarely see themselves there. Serving students ages 8–18, the foundation delivers a full Saturday program pipeline: in-person ground school, hands-on aircraft maintenance labs, and flight training in Cessna 172s under FAA-certified instructors. Founded by Black airline pilots and mechanics in 2020, Fly Compton’s mission is to diversify aviation by giving young people from underserved communities the skills, mentorship, and logged flight hours needed to pursue pilot careers—or any aerospace pathway they choose. Beyond weekly classes, signature experiences like the two-week Summer Solo Camp and “Torque It Up” maintenance workshop immerse students in cockpit procedures, simulator sessions, and their first solo flights, capping the journey with the tradition of cutting the shirttail. Media outlets from CBS Evening News to USA Today have highlighted the program’s impact in lifting the next generation of aviators.