James C. Ray Scholarship Recipients – Where are they now? Jacob Wiggins
James C. Ray Scholarship Recipients – Where are they now? Jacob Wiggins Read More »
Harry started his career off in the Navy when he was 17 years old. He served for 6 years as a Sonar Technician and the Lead Electronic Technician
Lakeland, FL: The Aerospace Center for Excellence welcomes Kaitlin Conway as the new Scholarship Associate! Kaitlin’s love of aviation has been present since she was a child, with her family gifting her a trip to an airshow as a birthday gift. After moving to Florida from New Jersey, she visited Polk State to get some
Born in San Francisco, California in 1887, Lincoln Beachey had a passion for aviation from a young age. In 1904, Beachey worked with Glenn Curtiss to fly on the Arrow, an airship. The slow-moving airship did not thrill Beachey, as he wanted something with more power and movement. By 1910 he had designed his own
Born in Pensacola, Florida on June 28, 1926, Betty Skelton developed a liking for aviation early on. Skelton began lessons as early as 8 years old and took the controls of an aircraft at 12 years old. She legally soloed at the age of 16 and soon after, acquired her private pilot’s license. Skelton wanted
The Florida Air Museum and Aerospace Center for Excellence welcomes Nicholas Mathes as our new Museum Director! Nicholas Mathes is a long-time Polk County resident being born and raised in Mulberry Florida. Nicholas married his high-school sweetheart in 2009 and has two children, Jaida, age 12 and Ezra, age 7. Nicholas holds two Master’s degrees
The Florida Air Museum and Aerospace Center for Excellence Welcomes New Museum Director Read More »
Bill Adams was raised on a farm near Watertown, Wisconsin, where he was born on October 11, 1925. His interest in aviation began at an early age. He was working as a crop duster when, in 1948, he saw the famous Cole Brothers Air Show. Watching them inspired him to strive to become an air