Aviation Summer Camp North Carolina

Airbus sponsored the annual Aviation Career Education (ACE) Camp at Lenoir Community College in late July 2026. Held at the Senator Jim Perry Aviation Center for Excellence at the North Carolina Global Transpark, the specialized summer program introduced youth ages 11 to 16 to careers in the aviation and aerospace industries through hands-on learning.

The sponsorship builds on Airbus' presence in Kinston, North Carolina, where Airbus Aerosystems officially commenced operations in December, bringing over 1,000 local employees into the Airbus network. Supporting the ACE Camp reflects Airbus' commitment to community engagement and workforce development under its pillars of giving.

Airbus Aviation Summer Camp U.S. North Carolina

Hands-on aircraft production workshop

During separate camp sessions organized by age group, Airbus team members shared the company's journey and led students through a simulated aircraft manufacturing challenge.

Working in teams, each student took on a specific role along an assembly line to produce three model paper aircraft using design schematics. Upon completion, teams submitted their aircraft for a formal quality review to ensure the models met strict standards required for customer sign-off. Thanks to thorough training and team collaboration, every aircraft successfully passed quality inspection.

Beyond the Airbus manufacturing exercise, campers operated full-motion flight simulators, flew drones, and participated in aircraft maintenance activities. Throughout the program, students demonstrated strong interest and impressive knowledge regarding the Airbus fleet, with many expressing a desire to pursue aerospace careers.

Building a local talent pipeline

The camp highlighted an ongoing partnership between Airbus and Lenoir Community College. The two organizations recently signed a memorandum of understanding to create a workforce development training program designed to funnel local talent directly into the Airbus facility in Kinston.

"It was very rewarding to spend time with the incredible students participating in Lenoir CC ACE Summer Camp," said Fred McConnel, Head of Workforce Development for Airbus in North America. "Their curiosity, enthusiasm, and passion for aviation were inspiring, and it is easy to see that they represent the next generation of North Carolina's aviation workforce. Investing in students like these is how we ensure our industry continues to grow and thrive for years to come."

McConnel emphasized that the collaboration reaches beyond traditional workforce development.

"Our partnership with Lenoir Community College is about more than workforce development; it is about creating opportunities and inspiring future aviators," McConnel added. "The college's commitment to introducing young people to aviation through experiences like this camp is helping build a strong talent pipeline for our industry. We are proud to work alongside an institution that shares our vision for developing a skilled workforce that will power aviation's future in eastern North Carolina."