Over the smell of grilling food came the constant buzz of helicopter blades and the drone of small planes taking off and landing, while hundreds of Black and brown children craned their necks skyward, eyes wide at the Compton/Woodley Airport for their first Air and Space Fair on Nov. 1.
The event was organized by the Fly Compton Foundation and the California Black Aviation Association to inspire young people of color to explore aviation and the sciences.
Compton has hosted air shows before, but this was the first to place “space” alongside aviation as a central theme.
The fair featured parked aircrafts that attendees could touch and explore, hands-on science experiments for children and Black professionals eager to share how their fields reach far beyond the cockpit.
Captain Rudy Melson, center, talks to a group of people about the benefits of being a civilian pilot at the Compton Air and Space Fair. Captain Melson is a search and rescue mission pilot for the Civil Air Patrol, a civilian Auxiliary for the United States Air Force. The Compton Air and Space Fair was held at the Compton/Woodley Airport on Nov. 1. (Jacyn King)
A common message among STEM advocates was that even if one isn’t gifted in mathematics, there are still crucial roles across aerospace that require creativity and collaboration.
“If you’re a fashion designer, someone has to make the flight suits. If you’re a chef, somebody has to feed the next generation living on the moon or Mars,” said K.L. Carter, an author, physicist and engineer for Long Beach-based aerospace company Vast. “There’s a place for every kind of talent in space.”
Representation was also on the forefront of the day, echoed by professionals and parents alike.
“Whether it’s the practitioners and the professionals or just seeing the families out here and the community members, I think it’s really powerful and sets a great tone for the community,” said Brian Walker, who attended with his daughter.
Pride in volunteering was visible too, as every pilot and plane on display donated their time and aircraft.
“It is important, and I always wanted to volunteer,” said Tasia Murphy, who attended with her son. “This is actually my first time doing it, so it’s a joy to help other people and be in your community at the same time.”
Pilot Robin Petgrave waves at the camera after taking off in his Robinson R66 helicopter to give a family a scenic 3-minute flights over Compton and parts of Carson Saturday afternoon. The helicopter rides, along with small passenger plane rides were ways the Compton Air and Space Fair were using to help children experience aviation. The Compton Air and Space Fair was held at the Compton/Woodley Airport Saturday November 1st. (Jacyn King)
On representation, Murphy added, “It gives my son a representation of his own, it encourages him to know that he can go out into these fields.”
Among the booths was Maynard Okereke, better known as The Hip-Hop M.D., who merges music and science on social media to spark curiosity among young audiences.
“Curiosity is key, it’s what keeps you invested and makes you want to keep learning,” Okereke said. “Curiosity is nature’s PhD.”
Okereke emphasized that diversity remains essential in STEM.
“When I was in college, I didn’t see many people who looked like me in science. That’s why I built this platform, to be the representation I didn’t have,” he said. “The more representation we have in STEM, the more we can inspire youth early on to see themselves in these careers.”
Activities included a miniature moon rover, replica moon rocks, a space-themed bounce house, and Young Eagles discovery flights, which offered children ages 8 to 17 their first experience in the air.
Celebrity Helicopters also offered short rides for families, lasting about three minutes and circling over Compton and Carson before landing back at the airport.
Ten-year-old Nathaniel Perez rode upfront with pilot Robin Petgrave, while his mother, Rocio Perez, stayed on the ground.
After experiencing his first helicopter flight, Nathaniel Perez smiles at the helicopter pilot after landing at the Compton/Woodley Airport. The helicopter rides, along with small passenger plane rides were some of the ways the Compton Air and Space Fair were using to help children experience aviation. The Compton Air and Space Fair was held at the Compton/Woodley Airport Saturday November 1st. (Jacyn King)
“It was really fun, we got a view of mostly everything in Compton, and he showed us the stadium where they play soccer,” Nathaniel said.
When asked if he’d ride in a helicopter if given the chance Perez said “Most definitely.”
As Petgrave pointed out local landmarks from above, including the tennis courts where Venus and Serena Williams first played, the connection between Compton’s streets and the skies felt real.
“Events like this make space feel close enough to touch,” Carter said. “It doesn’t look far away anymore, people can see themselves in it.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.