Fucshia Davis in the cockpit

"I like that the Aviation Academy exists and that I can be in high school and working toward flying at the same time.”

Fucshia Davis embodies the best of the Academies spirit. Not only does she take advantage of every chance to explore her chosen field of aviation, but she also uses her experiences as motivation to achieve in school and in life.

Fuchsia, who has been flying airplanes since she was 14, is a licensed pilot as well as a 2003 graduate of the Aviation & Aerospace Academy at Germantown High School. "My ultimate goal is to be an airline pilot," said Fuchsia, age 17. Her dream is closer to reality today because of opportunities made possible through the Philadelphia Academies. Inc.

This year, Fuchsia received her pilot's license and she is currently working toward her instrumentation license. To gain flying time and build her skills, she has flown from Philadelphia to Mississippi. In addition, she works as a flight dispatcher at Hortman Aviation, the youngest person and the only African-American woman to hold the position.

Board members have fully supported Fuchsia in her endeavors. Charles Isdell, Director of the Philadelphia International Airport and Aviation Board Chairman, hosted Fuchsia and other students at an Emergency Management Drill to demonstrate the logistics of coordinating medical and rescue operations at the airport. Another Board member, Carla Elliot of SEPTA, provided Fuchsia with a scholarship and a computer through the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials. Recently, the Philadelphia Chapter of the Black Pilots of America (BPA) recognized Fuchsia for her outstanding commitment to flying. She has attended a Summer Flight Academy and Exploration Camp on scholarship from the BPA.

Like so many other Academy alumni, Fuchsia plans to attend college upon graduation, and she has been accepted to Delaware State University. Due to the varied hands-on and industry-specific experiences she has had, she will one day enter the working world miles ahead of her counterparts. She will also be well situated to achieve her long-term goals of joining the army and eventually flying for a major airline.