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WRIGHT FLIGHT INC
TUCSON, AZ · EIN 860599697 · Form 990 · FY2021 · NTEE B9XZ · Education · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.wrightflight.org
revenue
$601K
expenses
$342K
net assets
$939K
employees
5
volunteers
60
program ratio
86%
mission · from form 990

WRIGHT FLIGHT, INC. IS A STUDENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT USES THE INHERENT MOTIVATIONAL POWER OF AVIATION FOR STUDENTS IN 5TH THROUGH 12TH GRADE AS A MEANS FOR THEM TO SET AND ACHIEVE GOALS IN ACADEMIC OR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENTAL AREAS, STRESSING AVIATION, MATH, SCIENCE AND OTHER TECHNICAL FIELDS. THIS PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES AN ANTI-DRUG/ALCOHOL/SUBSTANCE ABUSE COMPONENT.

profile · synthesized from sources

Wright Flight, Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Tucson, Arizona, that provides aviation-related educational programs to students facing challenges such as low academic achievement and substance abuse. Founded in 1986, the organization helps children develop essential life skills through a structured program that culminates in a graduation flight experience with volunteer pilots.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

History of Aviation
Nine-lesson program for 5th to 12th graders providing an overview of aviation milestones, culminating in a flight experience with a volunteer pilot.
Minuteman
Six-lesson program for 4th to 6th graders covering the history of the Air National Guard and aviation, culminating in a ground-based aviation activity.
Voyager
Eight-lesson program for 6th to 12th graders focusing on aviation pioneers, culminating in a flight experience and navigation training.
activities · 2 groups

what they do

  • Youth Aviation Training & Flight Experience 8 activities
    • Deliver aviation-focused STEM education programs to youth
      Offers three structured programs that introduce students as young as eleven to STEM careers through aviation education, including the History of Aviation, Voyager, and Minuteman programs, with completion leading to flight opportunities or ground-based aviation experiences.
    • Delivers STEM-focused aviation education programs to youth
      Offers three structured programs that introduce students as young as eleven to STEM careers through aviation education, including the History of Aviation, Voyager, and Minuteman programs, with completion leading to flight opportunities or ground-based aviation activities.
    • Operate Fly Day events with student flights and volunteer pilots
      Hosts Fly Day events where students receive approximately 30-minute flights in Cessna-172 aircraft, handling controls for 15–20 minutes under supervision, followed by recognition items including a certificate, photo, and t-shirt. The organization owns, operates, and maintains three Cessna 172 aircraft for these events.
    • Organizes Fly Day events for student aviation education
      Hosts Fly Day events where students participate in approximately 30-minute flights in Cessna-172 aircraft, handling controls for 15–20 minutes under supervision. These events serve as both program entry points for volunteers and culminating experiences for students completing educational programs.
    • Providing aviation education and flight experiences
      WRIGHT FLIGHT INC offers three distinct programs for students, introducing them to STEM careers and aviation. These programs include ground-based activities like museum tours and culminate in the opportunity for students to fly a light aircraft with a volunteer pilot for 15-20 minutes, using one of the organization's three Cessna-172 aircraft.
    • Providing aviation education and flight experiences for students
      WRIGHT FLIGHT INC offers three distinct programs for students, introducing them to STEM careers and aviation. These programs include ground-based activities like museum tours and culminate in the opportunity for students to fly a light aircraft with a volunteer pilot for 15-20 minutes, operating three Cessna-172 aircraft for these "Fly Days."
    • Providing aviation education and flight experiences for students
      WRIGHT FLIGHT INC offers three distinct programs for students, introducing them to STEM careers and aviation. These programs include ground-based activities like museum tours and culminate in the opportunity for students to fly a light aircraft with a volunteer pilot for 15-20 minutes, operating three Cessna-172 aircraft for these "Fly Days."
    • Providing aviation education and flight experiences for students
      WRIGHT FLIGHT INC offers three distinct programs for students, introducing them to STEM careers and aviation. These programs include ground-based activities like museum tours and culminate in the opportunity for students to fly a light aircraft with a volunteer pilot for 15-20 minutes, operating three Cessna-172 aircraft for these "Fly Days."
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Engaging volunteers for program support
      The organization engages volunteers to support student participation in fly day events, which also serve as entry points for new volunteers to get involved in their programs.
    • Organizing volunteer-supported fly day events
      The organization hosts "fly day" events where volunteers engage to support student participation. These events also serve as entry points for new volunteers to become involved in the programs.
    • Owns and maintains aircraft for educational flight operations
      Owns, operates, and maintains a fleet of three Cessna 172 aircraft dedicated to program delivery, with the first aircraft purchased in 1998 and used exclusively for student flight experiences during Fly Days.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
revenue
Total revenue$601K
Contributions & grants$544K91%
Program service revenue$46K8%
Investment income$3K1%
Other revenue$7K
expenses
Total expenses$342K
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$78K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$941K
Cash$470K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2K
Net assets$939K
Liquid reserves16.5 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +29.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
BRUCE R STODDARD EXECUTIVE DI 40 $54K
board members · 8
  • COLLEEN VANCE — DIRECTOR
  • EUGENE SANTARELLI — DIRECTOR
  • JACK KING — DIRECTOR
  • KIRSTEN STEPHENS — TREASURER
  • MARK COAN — VICE PRESIDE
  • ROBERT FEE — PRESIDENT
  • SHELBY HAWKINS — DIRECTOR
  • THEODORE BALE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 3

who they work with

  • Beth Partner — Point of contact for office volunteering and leadership team opportunities.
  • Pima Air and Space Museum Partner — Provides guided tours for students completing the Minuteman program.
  • Tucson International Airport Partner — Hosts Fly Days at its Executive Terminal.