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Making Tomorrow's Greatest Aviators...Today!
LAKELAND AERO CLUB ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH ACE
The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Lakeland Aero Club (LAC). ACE is assuming management of the day-to-day operations of the LAC and will continue to foster an environment that develops young aviators into leaders and responsible young adults. ACE is dedicated to collaboration with the LAC Board of Directors to ensure that the mission of the LAC flourishes: Making Tomorrow’s Greatest Aviators, Today!
The Lakeland Aero Club was established in August of 2011 with the purpose of exposing youth to various aspects of aviation. Mr. James C. Ray, an aviation philanthropist, created the concept of the LAC and funded the program to establish its foundation. LAC started as an after-school program for students attending the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA). Students participated in aviation seminars, airport disaster drills, and were able to log ground training toward pilot certification. In 2015, Mr. Ray funded the construction of the 12,500 square foot hangar on the SUN ‘n FUN campus to house the club’s growing fleet of aircraft and serve its members. The Lakeland Aero Club currently has twenty-five student members who are engaged daily in several ongoing restoration and maintenance projects as well as flying gliders and airplanes owned by the Club.
As part of this transition in operations, Gene Conrad, President and CEO of Aerospace Center for Excellence, will serve as President of the LAC. Chase Lee, Engagement Director of Aerospace Center for Excellence, will serve as the new Director of the Lakeland Aero Club. Prior to his onboarding at ACE, Chase served three years at CFAA as the instructor for aviation maintenance and avionics; he is a certificated aircraft mechanic, private pilot, and FAA ground instructor.
Chase Lee
Mike Zidiuas
Mike Zidziunas, the outgoing President of the LAC, will continue to be an active participant and advocate of the LAC. Under Mike Z’s careful mentorship and his unwavering confidence in the abilities of its youth members, the LAC has matured into one of the largest and most successful youth flying clubs in the world. His forward-thinking sensibility and expertise has set the stage for even more LAC members to learn to fly, utilizing gliders as a primary flight training aircraft. In 2023, the LAC assembled its first competitive racing team in glider flying. One year later, in the summer of 2024, Lakeland Aero Club members traveled to Ostrow, Poland for the 13th Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Junior World Gliding Championship.
The LAC Board of Directors that oversees the operations of the Club is excited about this new chapter. Chuck Brown, Chairman of the LAC Board, said, “As we all know, successfully managing the LAC is no easy task. There are many facets to guiding the largest High School Flying Club, which is why we are thrilled to welcome Chase Lee into his new responsibilities. We have every confidence that Chase is the right person for this job. With the continued support of Mike Z and the LAC Board of Directors, we look forward to working with Chase, as he transitions to his new leadership role at the Aero Club.”
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please reach out to engage@flysnf.org.
Thank you for your continued support as we process this change!
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