Larkins Kicks Off DreamLaunch Tour

December 9, 2008 — Not sure what career you want to pursue after high school? Jamail Larkins certainly has some ideas for you. Larkins, 24, fell in love with aviation as a young boy, and by 14 became one of the youngest American pilots to solo in Canada. Now, as ambassador of Aviation and Space Education for the Federal Aviation Administration, Larkins is sharing his dream-come-true story with students, and encouraging them to consider a career in aviation. His timing is right. A study by Aviation Week & Space Technology shows that about 25 percent of all aviation employees are eligible to retire this year. And that means there’s going to be a world of job opportunities, but potentially not enough young graduates to fill the positions. Sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Larkins’ DreamLaunch Tour opens students’ eyes to the myriad opportunities available to those who dream big and work hard – whether it’s as a future pilot, aerospace engineer, air traffic controller, or other aviation positions. “The future of aviation is in the hands of young America,” said Robert Sturgell, the FAA’s acting administrator. “Careers in aviation are there by the thousands. Jamail’s job is to open the door for students and their teachers.” The tour officially kicked off Friday in Dallas-Fort Worth at the 2008 DFW Airport Aviation and Transportation Career Exposition, where more than 4,000 students gathered to explore opportunities available in aviation, use flight simulators, participate in interactive games and meet Larkins, who hosted the expo as grand marshal. The tour will stop in Oakland, California, on December 12 and 18 additional markets in 2009 including Atlanta, Augusta, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Fairfax County, Houston, Miami, Newark, Pensacola, Phoenix, Raleigh-Durham, San Diego, and Seattle.

Jamail Larkins signs autographs at the 2008 DFW Airport Aviation and Transportation Career Exposition, which kicked off his DreamLaunch Tour. Photo courtesy Jamail Larkins Jamail Larkins will stop in 18 locations to get youth interested in aviation careers. Photo courtesy Jamail Larkins

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