High school senior Taylor Avery landed at the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo on April 5 in style—riding in the back of a P–51 Mustang.
Avery is a student at Central Florida Aerospace Academy in Lakeland, Florida. He received the ride as the recipient of a Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) scholarship.
Avery waved as the P-51, Crazy Horse, piloted by Stallion 51 President and CEO Lee Lauderback, taxied into place at Stallion 51’s exhibit on the warbird ramp.
“The ACE program at Sun 'n Fun is an important launch pad for engaging young men and women who are interested in an aviation career, and Stallion 51wants to help promote their efforts,” Lauderback said in a news release. “We are very pleased to reward Taylor with this recognition of his achievement, and I hope that this inspires others to look at his success and realize that with hard work they can also reach their goals.”
Avery is an Air Force ROTC cadet who has earned a private pilot certificate. He plans to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
The Aerospace Center for Excellence hosts year-round educational programs. Its 11 buildings and Boeing 727 classroom aim to educate and inspire the next generation while honoring the past.
Stallion 51, located in Kissimmee, Florida, offers orientation flights in North American P–51 Mustang and T–6 Texan aircraft and upset recovery training in the Aero L–39 Albatros.
