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moment, I haven’t looked back. That instructor may never know the impact she had on my life, but she inspired me to re- ceive a degree in aeronautics and sparked a passion in me for helping other students learn about avia- tion career oppor- tunities.”
After Kala’s ed- ucation was com- plete, her husband Garrett was hired at Dynamic Avia- tion, which led to her involvement
with NEXTGEN. “My husband was hired at Dynamic Aviation as an Air Data Acquisition Pilot. When Dynam- ic began beta testing the concept of NEXTGEN, he volunteered his time to fly the aircraft. I remember him com- ing home from these events excited about the potential of the program and the impact that it was already having on a small portion of our lo- cal community. I attended one of the events for employee family members and was shocked at all of the interac- tive stations that were set up for kids to explore. It reminded me so much of my experience at the Women In Aviation day but on a much larger scale. I immediately fell in love with the vision of the program and asked if I could volunteer. After volunteering for about two months, I was offered the operations supervisor position within the program and accepted!”
As you can see, Kala is perfect for this role. When asked what it is about NEXTGEN that influences kids the most, she said, “The beauty of NEXTGEN Aviators is the vari- ety of aviation career paths that we highlight, giving students with all different talents and interests some- thing that they can each be excited about. Our staff is composed of highly trained industry professionals who are all passionate about encourag- ing the next generation and giving
students the confidence boost they need to feel empowered to start their aviation journey. I think that when you pair the staff and the multitude of activities together it creates an environment that kids can’t help but gravitate towards. However, the King Air 90 flight and the desktop simula- tors seem to be a fan favorite.”
One of Kala’s colleagues also seems tailor-made for this type of advocacy. Samantha Anderson, originally from Arizona and now living in Virginia, has been hooked since an early age. She is intent on helping NEXTGEN Aviators bring her enthusiasm to a new generation. “Both my parents were international pilots and f light instructors,” she said. “I took my first flight at two weeks old and had my first passport by three months. I think I was about eight years old when I most vividly remember f lying with my parents. My dad was flying in the left seat, me in the right, and mom was in the back. Dad was teach- ing me how to do stalls and steep turns when he said, ‘you have the controls.’ I responded, ‘I have the controls,’ and I was hooked.”
Aviation is not Sam’s entire life, though. She is the current Miss United States, which brings all sorts of demands on her time. “I devote a significant amount of time to be- ing Miss United States. NEXTGEN has been incredibly f lexible with my schedule knowing that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and my hectic schedule is tempo- rary.” Discussing her future and the NEXTGEN program, Samantha pre- dicted the next three years will see significant growth. “And hopefully by then I’ll have completed my CFI rating and may even become a pi- lot for our program. My long-term plan is ever-changing. I have some guidelines that I hope will keep me heading towards a successful future, but I’m along for the ride.”
Michael and Shane are certainly lucky to have Kala and Sam as advo- cates and staff. But the story wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t hear from someone who had been through the NEXTGEN Aviators experience. Adam Brumbaugh felt the impact of his experience in the NEXTGEN Avia- tors program and is now an intern
Samantha Anderson flight training after earning the Miss United States title.
August 2022 / TWIN & TURBINE • 13