Q&A with George Allen, Worcester Regional Flight Academy
Photo/Christina H. Davis
George Allen, Founding Director & VP, Worcester Regional Flight Academy
The Allens are no strangers to Worcester Airport. So it shouldn’t have come as a surprise when the local family — William and Debra Allen and their son George — opened the Worcester Regional Flight Academy in May 2010. Since then, they’ve been working to spread the word about the new school and engage young people in the magic of flight. Here, George, who heads up marketing for the school, discusses its evolution and his hopes for the future.
>> How did you and your family come to open this school?
My father’s been flying since 1979. He became a flight instructor in the mid 90s and he was working for Amity Flight School which was across the way here at the airport. He’s been up here that entire time and so have I, in different capacities. As a student, obviously, but also as a member of the civil air patrol, which is a U.S. Air Force cadet program. I was in that from ages 12 to 21. Over the years, my father worked for various flight schools that were in and out of here. The opportunity came along for us to open the flight school here. The one that was here decided to curtail their operations and focus on their New Hampshire base and we basically took the reins.
>> What are you hoping to do differently from other flight schools?
We believe there are so many things that flight schools have not done up here. None of the flight schools reached out into the community to create opportunity for youth and create partnerships with educational institutions. That’s our angle, and that’s where I come in — in putting a new twist on a flight school.
>> So your focus is reaching out more into the community. Are there a couple of examples of what you’ve been able to put in place so far?
I went to Becker College in September 2010 and I proposed partnering with the school to create a private pilot course. Students will get a hands-on introduction to aviation beyond just flying the airplane. It will also include the whole behind-the-scenes operational aspect. The folks at Becker are extremely enthusiastic and we’ll be starting in the fall. That’s one of the tangible things that we’ve accomplished.
>> Now that MassPort owns the airport, what changes are you seeing?
I think in five years’ time you’re not going to recognize this airport. Buildings will be coming down and the terminal will expand. There’s going to be more flights coming in and out of here, and hopefully by that time, the school will have expanded exponentially.
>> What are the enrollment levels at the school?
We had a lot of students carry over that were ex-students from other flight schools in the area and we’ve acquired a number of students, too. We probably have 30 students right now and we also have an active aerospace discovery club for young adults.
>> What goals do you have?
We’d like to see more students coming through the door. To do that we’re creating new programs, one of which is focused on young adults. At age 16, a trained individual can solo power an aircraft, which is a tremendous thing. At age 17 they can get their private pilot’s license. I would like to create more awareness of that.
>> Sounds like you’re really focusing on young people. Is that because young people are the future?
I think so. I was lucky in that I grew up around aviation, but my father discovered it a little later on. He always wished that when he was that age he could have had the opportunity that we’re providing to kids now. And I’m taking that a little further. Unfortunately there are many who can’t afford learning to fly, so we’re working with folks in the community to create a nonprofit scholarship fund.
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