As a child, Adam Stanley had a neighbor who worked for Delta in TechOps as a mechanic. He invited Stanley to an event at Hartsfield-Jackson to walk through the brand-new 777 aircraft. That, Stanley says, is where his passion for aviation took flight.
That passion has been further fueled by the opportunity to build and lead an innovative aviation program at Carver STEAM Academy. Today, Stanley serves as Aerospace Pathways Coordinator where he leads curriculum on aviation maintenance, flight operations/ pilot training, and aerospace engineering. In partnership with Tango Flight, Airbus, and Delta Airlines, the aviation program encourages students to learn social and technical skills required to work in the aviation industry.
Currently, Carver STEAM offers an aviation maintenance pathway for students. Students are working alongside professionals from Delta and Airbus to build an airplane, a Vans RV-12is, which Stanley and his students began constructing in September of 2019.
“We started strong and then had to pause the build from March 2020 – August 2021 due to COVID,” said Stanley. “When we returned, we had to reorganize our inventory due to an HVAC issue that led to mold. Delta TechOps professionals joined us in January 2022 and became integral in mentoring students. We have completed the majority of the airframe and are working on wiring, hoses, and preparing to mount the engine.”
In the near future, Carver STEAM will be offering pathways for students to earn their private pilot license and also aerospace engineering. The program is opening doors for students to career opportunities they might not otherwise have thought possible.
“Delta and Airbus have been outstanding partners,” said Stanley. “In 2023, Delta Air Lines flew 25 Carver STEAM students to Mobile, AL, for a field trip. That trip provided students with an even bigger picture of what a career in aviation could look like.”
This summer Delta is sending three Carver STEAM students to the National Flight Academy and two others to the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals ACE Academy.
“Every class is a new opportunity to problem solve and learn,” said Stanley. “I enjoy seeing my students interact with industry professionals sharing stories and experiences about the aerospace industry, as well as sharing life stories.”
View Carver STEAM Students in Action
