Roots2Wings
The next century of flight needs more than just pilots.
Roots2Wings connects historical curiosity directly with modern career opportunities. It starts with our Roots/Curiosity introductory course and grows through active, local mentorship around each student.
The entry course
Roots/Curiosity: discover what flight can open.
Aviation requires engineers, mechanics, software developers, and public servants. Our Roots/Curiosity course introduces students to this wider world using historical artifacts and hands-on drone training. During the course, we guide students through the FAA's Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST). Once they pass, they receive their official TRUST safety certificate directly from an FAA-approved test administrator. We make sure every student can access the test, pass it, and proudly print their certificate. While the FAA test is always free, any local course participation costs or location details will be provided before enrollment.
Read the FAA’s TRUST information and approved test administrator list (opens in a new tab).
The Roots2Wings pathway
- Roots / Curiosity
Start with a question.
Learn the history of flight, master safe drone skills, and pass the FAA TRUST test with an approved administrator.
- Explore / Connect
Find your team.
Connect with local mentors, museums, aviation clubs, and advanced learning opportunities tailored to each student's readiness.
- Wings / Progression
Take the next step.
We provide direct handoffs into advanced flight academies, commercial drone training (Part 107), and STEM careers with trusted local providers.
Our current milestone: the first 100.
We are raising $100,000 to support the first 100 Roots students. Each $1,000 campaign unit supports the whole operating model: administration, events, outreach and impact. Gifts of every size help.
An interest form starts a conversation. Course dates, locations, ages, providers and available places will be shared before enrollment. Funding units and confirmed student places are reported separately.
A few useful distinctions
Is TRUST the same as a Part 107 Commercial License?
No. TRUST is the FAA's recreational safety test. Part 107 is a separate, advanced commercial pilot certification we can refer students to.
Does this form reserve a spot?
It simply tells us your family or school wants to participate. Official enrollment happens once we confirm local course dates and providers.
Who should use this form?
Parents, guardians, adult family members, schools, mentors and prospective delivery partners can contact us here. Please keep child-participant information out of this general inquiry.
What comes after the introductory course?
The next step depends on the learner’s interests and readiness, and on available mentors and providers. It may be further learning, a club, a visit, a project or a training referral.
Help a young person find their next step.
Parents, guardians, schools and prospective partners: tell us your hub and how you would like to participate. Please do not include a child’s personal details.
Regional roadmap
We are connecting local schools, airports, museums, mentors and community supporters around the Roots2Wings pathway. Start with a useful relationship. Build the capacity to follow through.
Three regions. Deliberate development.
Target windows guide preparation. Activities and available places depend on local leadership, delivery arrangements and resources.
| Region | Target window | Hubs | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| West | 2027–2028 | Phoenix · Las Vegas · San Diego | Planning |
| Central | 2029–2030 | St. Louis · Chicago · Oshkosh | Planned |
| East | 2030–2031 | New York · Washington, DC · Lakeland | Planned |
Phoenix · Las Vegas · San Diego
Our first focus: the West.
2027–2028 · Planning
Phoenix
Help connect Arizona schools and families with aviation, museum and engineering relationships. We are seeking convenors, mentors and introductory-course delivery conversations.
2027–2028 · Planning
Las Vegas
Turn early event conversations into year-round school, aviation, community and industry relationships. MCON is an early live-event opportunity within this wider work.
2027–2028 · Planning
San Diego
Connect the Spirit of St. Louis engineering story with today’s museums, educators, aviation organizations and technical mentors.
Regional windows can overlap.
The Central window runs from 2029–2030; the East window begins in 2030 and continues through 2031. That overlap is intentional. We will develop local leadership and delivery capacity at a pace the relationships can support.
Nine local functions, working together.
| Local function | Contribution |
|---|---|
| City director | Convene the committee, coordinate next steps and maintain local accountability. |
| Airport connection | Connect aviation operations, appropriate access and the local flying community. |
| Museum connection | Bring history, interpretation and collections into learning. |
| School connection | Connect educators, families and appropriate participant pathways. |
| Engineer / mentor connection | Make technical questions and the people behind the work accessible. |
| Government coordinator | Connect relevant public services and civic resources. |
| Industry coordinator | Develop useful employer, provider and resource relationships. |
| Media coordinator | Share accurate stories and communicate local opportunities. |
| Community coordinator | Connect volunteers, local groups and practical support. |
Moving from introductions to active partnerships.
Adding a name to a list is just the start. A real partnership requires clear goals, local ownership, and actionable next steps. We will publicly list our local leads as these community partnerships finalize.
Who can help connect your city?
Choose a hub and tell us about your role, organization or proposed contribution. This is a conversation about developing the network.
Explore the original record
Browse the Donald A. Hall Estate Collection
Explore the engineering drawings and photographs behind the Spirit of St. Louis, and connect historical records with aviation and STEAM learning.