Education News

The Future of Flight: A Pilot and Army Veteran’s Vision for a World Where Everyone Can Fly

Education has been regarded for centuries as the stepping stone to achieving dreams and unlocking human potential. However, access to quality education remains a privilege for many, particularly in complex and resource-intensive fields like aviation, flight, and space engineering. Colene Copeland-Kruszynski, a former U.S. Army pilot and geospatial engineer, aims to change this narrative through her new aviation-focused educational channel , AeroCopz. With a deep-rooted passion for aviation and the belief that flying will become the primary mode of transportation, Copeland-Kruszynski starts on an ambitious journey to democratize aviation knowledge and inspire a new generation of pilots and aerospace enthusiasts. A Passion for Flight and Education Copeland-Kruszynski's time as a geospatial engineer (12Y) in the U.S. Army provided her with an intensive firsthand experience of the profound capabilities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) within military operations. This role, which involved analyzing and managing geographically referenced information, helped her appreciate the critical importance of precise data and its implications not just on the battlefield but also in aviation and space exploration. Recognizing the growing importance of GIS in improving the efficiency and safety of aviation operations, Copeland-Kruszynski envisions flying to be as commonplace as any other mode of transportation. Her background in geospatial engineering allows her to see the potential for these technologies to advance military strategies, commercial aviation, and space exploration. She anticipates enhanced spatial analysis leading to more sophisticated navigation systems, improved flight training simulations, and even better air traffic management. This vision encouraged her to empower others to explore these fields, with the goal of making aviation and space engineering accessible through comprehensive training and widespread technology adoption. Copeland-Kruszynski shares, “Aviation and space engineering are interesting fields, yet I know many are daunted to pursue them because of their complexity and inaccessibility. This is what I want to change. I want to inspire many, especially young women, to pursue aviation and space engineering and choose commercial pilots as their first-choice careers.” A Vision for Universal Flight Education Copeland-Kruszynski believes that flying will become the primary mode of transportation in the future. She is determined to ensure everyone can learn how to fly. This conviction has led her to launch AeroCopz, a YouTube channel that teaches the principles of flight and aviation engineering to a broad audience. Through AeroCopz, Copeland-Kruszynski will release a series of educational videos to demystify the complexities of aviation and space engineering. The modules will cover various topics, from solving GIS problems and navigating avionics systems to overcoming flight training hurdles and safe air flights. She also plans to explore foundational issues, such as the industry demands, career opportunities, and benefits, among others. Copeland-Kruszynski wants to make it easier for everyone to start learning about aviation by making these modules freely accessible on platforms like YouTube. She aims to do more than just teach; she wants to spark a love for flying in young people and make the industry more appealing to a wider group. A Flight Path Forward As AeroCopz takes off, Copeland-Kruszynski knows the depth of the work ahead of her. Her vision of a world where everyone can fly is not easy. It demands careful planning and consideration, especially on how the platform can be accessible and genuinely compelling.  Despite such challenges, the army veteran views her initiative as a complementary solution rather than a standalone answer. "AeroCopz acknowledges the hands-on, rigorous training required for aviation. However, its main objective is to open doors and inspire minds, showing what's possible with access to education and further exploration,” Copeland-Kruszynski shares.  With AeroCopz’s first module due to be available this summer 2024, Copeland-Kruszynski is in intense preparation. The army veteran is excited about making aviation and space exploration more inclusive and accessible. With each video and every viewer, she hopes to prove that the future of flight belongs to everyone.