November 14, 2016
PACS Parents Chad and Laura Smith Speak at Lunch at Learn
On Friday, November 11th, Prince Avenue parents Chad & Laura Smith visited PACS to speak to a group of high school students during the monthly Lunch & Learn program. Mr. Smith is a Delta Air Lines pilot who started flying in 1988, and his wife Laura, an American Airlines pilot, started flying in 1999.
During their presentation, the Smiths discussed the types of aircraft they fly, who can be a professional pilot, and how to become a pilot. Mr. Smith explained there are two paths to being a pilot, the first through the military and the second as a civilian. Both Mr. & Mrs. Smith went the civilian path.
With a combined 56 years of flying experience between the two, the Smiths were able to provide firsthand experience of the pros and cons of the civilian path. They noted that the civilian path is not as structured and explained that there are less networking opportunities in the industry starting out. In closing, they told students about Falcon Aviation Academy in Newnan, Georgia where students can begin their pilot training.
