Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum is a great asset to the Compton area. Children from all over LA come to receive flight lessons, tutoring, and mentoring. Without TAM, many of the youth in the program would be more likely to get involved with gangs and drugs.
The programs help the youth with all aspects of their lives: education, skills, self-confidence, teamwork, etc.
Many of TAM's students have used the nonprofit flight training to springboard into aviation careers, including flying for airlines, tour companies, and the military.
You simply have to experience the magic that is created at TAM to fully appreciate the ways so many young lives have been positively affected. The museum is an oasis in what is generally perceived to be one of the worst neighborhoods in the country - it is a safe haven for local students that offers them exciting challenges and opportunities to better themselves and become productive citizens and future leaders. If you make the effort to visit TAM, you will see firsthand evidence of the many positive accomplishments of the students who have taken advantage of the programs offered by the museum.
It is a privilege to work with the kids at TAM and I am inspired by THEM. This program gives kids an opportunity to really and truly believe they can achieve even their wildest dreams, not by telling them they can, but by showing them and assisting them in making it happen.
Robin is a great mentor. He truely cares about these young people and it shows. TAM is a great asset to its community.
It seems like yesterday,MY Father was rushing US around the house in South Miami,Fl. He was preparing US to go to Miami Beach, to witness His first cousin Comitee WILSON ,graduation with the TUSKEGEE Airman. After graduation the cadets were tossing their hats in the air,MY cousin found ME and put His hat on My head. Later in Detroit,MI , I joined the Cub Scouts,Boy Scouts,Air Explorer Scouts,applied to the US Airforce,rejected ,so I jonied the US Army after I had learned to fly while in the Air Scouts in Detroit. The act of mY Cousin SET MY LIFE course.Airborne,Korea,Vietnam,University,ED.Psychology,opened Psy.clinic, now I am building a small Hotel here in Cancun,Mx. I Love Support Your Org. has Done ,Will Do ,foe those Young People, All will have a positive impact on and influnece the WORLD...Thank YOU all!!!!! AHMAD..........................
Happiness? Is when you find your passion early in life. Which is what my son Michael has done thanks to Robin Petgrave of Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum. This program does not have enough support from the communities that all of these children are from. They come from everywhere from Orange County to mid Los Angeles. There are so many words that come to my mind when thinking about this program and how important it is. The tutors are wonderful. I myself lived in the city of Compton, Ca. Back then there was no gang violence nor drugs prevalent. Kids could walk home without having to worry about things like that or someone trying to kidnap them. The schools focused on sending kids to college starting in the 5th grade as well as extracurricular activities and sports. Now the teachers are trying to make school easier for these very bright children which in turn takes away their college options to be prepared for career opportunities that would come to them. But thank you Robin and Myra Petgrave for creating an opportunity for children to go to college where they could not see one. For creating an opportunity for them to be able to have a career to fall back on and for being able to find their passion at such a young age. There is no better program than this one. It is a God-send and I will always support it in any way that I can.
I have seen first hand the amazing work that this organization does with inner city youth and the surrounding community. The founders are incredibly adept at reaching out to the (nearby) Hollywood and celebrity community to get help with PR and funding, and at the same time are wonderful communicating their message and employing folks from the Compton neighborhood where they are located. The recent incredible cross country flight, and fantastic press from Kim, has helped put this place on the map.
What an amazing concept Robin Petgrave has created through TAM. I have a professional pilot and I have volunteered/visitid Robin's museum on several occasions. Robin understands exactly what kids need to get excited about math and science. He's great with kids! His use of aircraft to motivate students is literally the "perfect vehicle". Some of his students will become professional pilots, and all of his students will benefit from the inspiring opportunity that his flight school and museum represent.
What I have learn the Aeronautical museum program is to leran how to fly. Aeronautical is a fun program to be in,the teachers are very funny. when I turn sevevnteen I hope to do a solo.
I grew up in the area of the Compton airport. As a kid we used to ride our bikes over there just to watch the airplanes. We would eat at the restaurant there and wonder what it would be like to fly. I was drafted after high school and went into the Air Force. Upon my return I would still visit the airport. It became a regular stop for me. A former high school buddy Donald Robertson was a pilot and he had a plane there, from time to time I would go up with him. I knew about Robin Petgrave and his flying service being at Torrance Airport but I had never met him. Once he moved his operation to Compton airport and established the museum I got a chance to meet him at one of the air shows there. What a wonderful program he has there for the community. Makes me wish I were a kid again so that I could be part of it. I feel so happy for the kids that are experiencing what I would have loved to have experienced when I were a kid, had the program been there then. I have since retired an have relocated to the Dyersburg TN area. We have a local airport and it would be a God send if we could get Robin's program here in our local airport. I would love to volunteer there and help the kids with their homework and share my telecommunications, computer, and electronic skills with them. Robert L. Davis Newbern TN
Mr Robin Petgrave and Tomorrows Aeronautical Museum TAM is like a diamond in Compton,Ca. This Museum and school help hundreds of teens have a chance at life by helping them open their eyes and minds to real life careers they can look forward to , the school lets you imagine a new life beyond the Gangs,Drug,Violence, that surrounds the school located in the city of Compton. Mr Petgrave is a real life super heroe. Keep up the great work!
Since the museum was founded in 1999, I have seen over 800 kids from Compton, Gardena, Long Beach, Inglewood, and Los Angeles enroll in our youth programs because they either want to learn about aviation, engineering, meet great role models like the Tuskegee Airmen, or they just want a safe place to turn to. I believe that there are MANY more kids around the nation that should be served and possibly even saved by Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum.
Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum is a great Non profit that helps children all over LA realize their dream. My name is James Knox im 14 years old and I have been in this program for 7 years now. This program has help me with so much things such as school, staying out of trouble, and my flight training. Before I started the museum I use to get in lots of trouble but now that I can Grades have improved and I stopped getting into trouble. So if you will please visit Tamuseum.org and join the Aviation Angels to help support At Risk Youths All over Los Angeles.