The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) joined Tuskegee NEXT, Lewis University and United Airlines on Saturday to host “Chicago Youth Aviation Day: Flying the Legacy Forward,” a day-long immersive aviation experience for more than two dozen Chicago-area students ages 15 to 18. The event, held at the Harold White Aviation Center at Lewis University and at O’Hare International Airport, introduced students to the wide range of careers available across the aviation industry — from piloting and aircraft maintenance to airport operations and airline management — while honoring the pioneering legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. The day began at the Harold White Aviation Center, where students participated in flight simulator sessions, toured aviation training facilities and took part in discovery flights led by Tuskegee NEXT alumni pilots. In the afternoon, students traveled to O’Hare International Airport for a behind-the-scenes look at airline operations hosted by United Airlines. Participants toured a United aircraft, visited operational facilities and learned how pilots, dispatchers, mechanics and ground crews work together to ensure safe and efficient travel.

Photo Credit: City of Chicago