The Vision
A Partnership Takes Flight
Building the Program Together
The Gillemot Foundation partnered with Washoe County School District (WCSD) and the Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology (AACT) to create something transformative for students: a first-of-its-kind Aviation Academy in northern Nevada that would introduce young people to the world of aviation through hands-on learning, technical education, and real-world career exploration. The vision was to create more than a classroom. It was to build a launchpad for curiosity, confidence, and future careers.
Turning the vision into reality required collaboration between education, industry, and the Gillemot Foundation who believed in the potential of northern Nevada’s students. The Gillemot Foundation provided $1.2M in financial support to help establish the program and create meaningful learning opportunities for students interested in aviation, drone, and aerospace careers.
Together, a program was designed to expose students to the many dimensions of aviation, from aircraft systems and engineering to safety procedures, communication protocols, certification processes, and emerging technology. The shared goal was clear: to give students access to opportunities that could help shape their futures while inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals to help meet the growing needs in northern Nevada.
The Launch
Northern Nevada’s First Aviation Academy Takes Off
In August 2025, AACT officially opened northern Nevada’s first Aviation Academy. As students walked into the classroom for the first time, the vision became reality.
The program launched with a curriculum focused on aviation history, aircraft structures and materials, airspace communication, engineering concepts, and career exploration within the aviation industry. The facility includes flight simulators, cockpits, an air traffic control tower, and other hands-on equipment to prepare students for careers in aviation. Students who graduate from the program will also leave with a commercial drone license.
The launch represented more than the opening of a new academy. It signaled a broader investment in the future of northern Nevada, one that helps students see themselves in careers they may never have imagined possible. As the program continues to grow, the Aviation Academy is positioned to inspire future pilots, engineers, technicians, innovators, and aerospace leaders for years to come.
The Impact
Creating New Possibilities for Students
The Aviation Academy is already helping students explore new interests, discover meaningful career opportunities, and engage with aviation in tangible ways.
By the Numbers
- $1.2M donated
- 61 students enrolled in the program's first year
- 86 students enrolled in year two (41% growth)
- 68+ students projected to earn their Drone Certifications
Current program impact includes:
- The launch of northern Nevada’s first Aviation Academy.
- Expanded access to aviation education for high school students.
- Hands-on learning opportunities connected to real-world aviation careers.
- Industry exposure that helps students better understand pathways into aviation, drones, and aerospace careers.
- Stronger collaboration between education, industry, and community partners focused on workforce development.
Most importantly, the program is helping students imagine new possibilities for their future and giving them the tools and confidence to pursue them.
Testimonial
The program is opening students’ eyes to the incredible possibilities within the aviation industry — from airport administration and air traffic control to aviation maintenance and beyond. Through hands-on learning and technical skill development, students are beginning to see that careers in aviation, drone, and aerospace are not just distant ideas, but real opportunities within their reach. We are deeply grateful to the Gillemot Foundation for helping make this program possible and for inspiring students to believe that their future can truly take flight.
Learn More
If you know of a student that may be interested in this program, visit the AACT website to learn more.