Have you ever come across a child who wanted to work with airplanes? Children have big dreams that often include taking all sorts of grand adventures. They know no limits, and their aspirations know no boundaries. Imagine then, when a child reaches school-age, and their dreams of becoming an aircraft maintenance technician, an aerospace engineer, or a pilot are stifled because of lack of resources, or support from others. What if there was a way though, to turn their dream into a reality even with the hurdles they might face? The good news: through the Lakeland Aero Club, where there’s a will, there’s a way!

The Lakeland Aero Club is an organization that provides unique opportunities to students between the ages of 14 and 24 to participate in aviation-related activities that expand and encourage their interest and knowledge of aviation. Located at the Lakeland Linder Int’l Airport, they boast a fleet of three flying airplanes, five project airplanes, and a Redbird FMX full motion flight simulator. These resources allow the club to teach crucial aeronautical decision-making courses to aviation minded youth. We believe flying clubs like LAC are the front lines for inspiring and mentoring today’s youth towards a career in aviation. Since its inception, more than 160 Lakeland Aero Club students have logged over 1,200 flight hours in the Redbird FMX, more than 780 cross
country flight hours, and over 12,500 hands-on shop hours.

Double M Aviation is proud to partner with LAC, and in 2019, established the Double M Foundation as a way to give back to the next generation of aviation enthusiasts. The Double M Foundation is a nonprofit subsidiary of Double M Aviation. This Foundation creates a space within which Double M Aviation can responsibly raise money for local organizations such as the Lakeland Aero Club. Organizations that are taking actions now to combat the shortage of pilots, maintenance technicians, and support personnel that our industry will face in the years to come. Since the birth of the Double M Foundation, we have raised $11,950 for the Lakeland Aero Club. Thanks to the generous donor community that supports both Double M Aviation and the LAC, countless students can now experience hands-on training that will help develop and shape their future in aviation.

Interested in giving back? Whether you donate $10,000 or $10, your gifts go directly towards organizations like the Lakeland Aero Club, giving the opportunity for a child to propel innovation and aeronautical discovery. For more information on how you can get involved, call us at 863-940-3450, or you can email us at Give@DoubleMAviation.com.