GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County is celebrating a major milestone after commissioners leased to its first Black-owned pilot school, allowing it to operate at the Briscoe Field Airport, according to a Tuesday news release from the county.
Lookup Flight Academy, LLC officially has a 25-year lease with the county. The school's founder, Michael Ojo, believes in empowering youth with knowledge in the aviation industry.
According to its website, Lookup Flight Academy operates out of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
“Pilotage demands doing the hard thing, regardless of gender or wealth,” Ojo said. “It requires equal attention from all, as your life and future hinge on it. Embrace the challenge!”
According to the county, the school will get a 2.3-acre site with a hangar and ramp.
The historic decision will allow the flight school to provide pilot training while addressing the underrepresentation of minority pilots in aviation.
Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson expressed her enthusiasm for the board’s decision.
“We are proud to host the first Black pilot school in Gwinnett,” Hendrickson said. “By providing a platform for aspiring pilots from underrepresented communities, Lookup Flight Academy is not only bridging gaps but also creating pathways for future leaders in the industry.”
The county also stated the pilot school will renovate its hangar facility at the airport to enhance the learning environment.
It expects to be fully operational and open to those who are interested in training by the summer, a news release stated.
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