Aviation camp gives Pinellas Co kids their wings

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - Some kids in Pinellas County are seeing their dreams take off at the birthplace of commercial aviation in Saint Petersburg.

"Ever since I was seven or eight years old I've been dreaming of wanting to be a pilot for American Airlines," Timothy Young said.

Timothy took his first big step towards that dream. He and others kids ages six to 16 are in the Fly St. Pete summer camp.

Some are taking the controls for the first time with an instructor.

"The controls were a little touchy but once you get used to it, it is smooth sailing from there," Timothy added.

Public school teacher and pilot Terri Griner says the weeklong camp exposes campers to aviation careers.

"They're learning about where it all started and the beginning of aviation and they're also learning about where aviation is going," Griner said. 

The camp is a week of educational, hands-on experience at Albert Whitted Airport.

"Nothing I've ever done in my whole entire 16 years living that has been better than this right here," Timothy said.

Now he's a step closer to his dream of earning his captain's wings.