Dozens of young people gathered in the Standard Aviation hangar at the St. Thomas airport on Sunday for the annual Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) presentation. On Thursday, participants will have the opportunity to take discovery flights. Standard Aviation partners annually with the Virgin Islands OBAP ACE Academy providing complimentary fuel for the exploratory flights and use of its facility.

“We are pleased to host aspiring pilots and young people excited about all the career options in aviation,” said Standard Aviation General Manager, Aquino Bonelli. “Our team is happy to facilitate these events again this year in support of St. Thomas youth.”

This marks the third year OBAP and Standard Aviation have collaborated on the events at Cyril E. King Airport. The goals are to inform young people on St. Thomas about options in the industry and inspire the next generation of aviators.

“We welcome teens annually to explore aviation careers, to both increase local job opportunities and to meet the industry’s pilot shortage,” said Makeda Dawson, OBAP volunteer on St. Thomas. “We appreciate Standard Aviation, UFLYVI, and ACE Flight Center for their partnership.”

Founded in 1976, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of minorities in all aviation and aerospace careers. More information can be found at obap.org or by e-mailing [email protected].

Standard Aviation is a luxury fixed-base operator (FBO) on St. Thomas providing aircraft fuel and services, along with 24/7 customs clearance. This aviation complex boasts 24,000 square feet of enclosed hangar space-- the largest free-span building in the Caribbean. Please visit STTfbo.com for additional information or call 340.244.4990.