LETTERS
ACE CAMP A GREAT SUCCESS
To the editor:

PHOTO BY JILL SANDOLE

Nantucket Island's first-ever Aviation Career Education (ACE) Camp, held from June 25-June 29, was a great success - thanks in no small part to the support of a wide range of people and organizations, both on and off the island. Fifteen Nantucket young people participated in a variety of activities, from piloting aircraft to rocket building/launching, to trip planning to computerized flight simulations, to learning about air traffic control to learning how to draw and photograph airplanes and to being part of a military mission in a C-130. It was a week that won't be forgotten by the campers.

On behalf of the staff of the ACE Camp, I would like to recognize those who made the camp possible. Special appreciation goes to the Commission and staff of Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK), the Nantucket Educational Air Program, Inc., the staff of Nantucket High School, Nantucket Community School, the Nantucket Boys and Girls Club and the flight instructors, from Daniel Webster College, who took every camper up for a flight lesson in their Cessna 172 aircraft. Also, many thanks, for their time and generosity, to Cape Air/Nantucket Airlines, Island Airlines, Nantucket Island Rent-a- Car, Stop and Shop, NetJets, pilot Bob Garrabrant, who flew campers in his RV-8, the education department at NASA and the Air Traffic Controllers in Nantucket's tower.

In addition, the ACE Camp was the beneficiary of grants from the Wolf Aviation Fund and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) while the "outstanding camper" of the week, Thomas Lucchino, received recognition, and a monetary award, from the Aero Club of New England.

We'd like to recognize our most interesting speakers, who introduced the campers to a wide range of aviation career possibilities: British Airways (BA) Captain Chris McLaughlin and his lovely wife Corinne McLaughlin, a BA Purser; ACK Tower controller Jake Allegrini; and Carl England, a retired Navy pilot, ACK Commissioner and Coast Guard Auxiliary pilot. Their stories and advice were important for the campers to hear and the souvenirs they handed out most appreciated.

Also, many thanks to the general aviation pilots who showed their charter aircraft, a Gulfstream and a Citation, to the campers as well as to the pilots and crew of the C-130, from the Rhode Island National Guard, who flew over to Nantucket to take the campers on a "short flight." However, the flight in the C-130 became the adventure of the week as the campers, staff and members of the media onboard were reminded of the truism about Nantucket, which is that "Fog Happens."

On the last day of camp, we were honored to have the following people join us at the closing ceremonies: Sheila Bauer and Glen Michaels from the FAA, Jeff Bauer from the Aero Club of New England, Airport Commissioner Foley Vaughan, representing the Nantucket Educational Air Program, Inc. and many parents and family members. We must thank these parents who were supportive of the program, helped the campers find the answers to the aviation history questions and waited patiently at the ferry as the campers returned from Hyannis after their memorable trip on the C- 130. And of course, thanks to the terrific campers and counselors - you were all great.

Plans are already underway for Nantucket's 2008 ACE Camp, set for early summer. We look forward to a full roster of campers and expanded activities and support. Keep an eye out for details and dates. Again, thanks to all who made ACE Camp a memorable experience for campers and staff.

Yours Truly,

- Malcolm Brydon Nantucket ACE Camp

2007 - Coordinator