In 2005, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) joined forces with one of the most prominent young names in aviation – Jamail Larkins, a 23-year-old African-American aerobatic air show performer, businessman, and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University graduate – to promote career opportunities in aviation and aerospace. As the FAA Ambassador for Aviation and Space Education, Larkins promotes aviation and aerospace career opportunities to youth across the country.
He has traveled to more than 100 schools on his national 20-city “DreamLaunch” tour, speaking to and encouraging young people to achieve their dreams and to encourage careers in aviation. Larkins is continuing to travel the country on the “DreamLaunch” tour, and plans to visit 14 more cities in 2008.
Larkins started flying at the age of 12 and became one of the youngest certified pilots in the world when he soloed a powered aircraft in Canada at age 14. When he was 15, he established Larkins Enterprises, Inc., where he is President and Chief Operating Officer. Larkins completed his U.S. solo shortly after his sixteenth birthday in a Cirrus SR20. In 2003, he flew with the Navy’s Blue Angels.
He has been featured at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and is part of a permanent aviation exhibit at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, alongside famous fliers like Chuck Yeager, Amelia Earhart and the Wright Brothers. Since he began his career in aviation, Larkins has piloted 36 different types of aircrafts. He currently flies a high-performance Christen Eagle II aerobatic aircraft on the air show circuit.
Public Relations Contact: Rosica Strategic Public Relations