During a trip that took PNBAA member Mark McIntyre to Kumasi, Ghana, he met Eric Owusu, photo attached. Eric is a Jeppesen-approved Handling Agent based there who has dreamed of traveling to the USA to complete an FAA Dispatcher Course at the Jeppesen Academy in Denver. Even though he has a monthly salary of only $200, he has managed to save enough to cover his round trip airfare. The challenge, Mark learned, is the six week course including materials and FAA exam is an estimated $4,500 with room and board totaling approximately $4,500. more.

Realizing how much we have and how a small effort or sacrifice on our part could help fulfill someone else’s dream, Mark brought Eric’s dream to the attention of a number of his aviation relationships here. Jeppesen has generously agreed to provide Eric with a complete scholarship toward the Dispatcher Course and subsequent test. Bombardier’s Peter Menza has agreed to provide financial assistance. Mente, Mark’s employer, will also make a contribution and the PNBAA will donate $500.

We are pleased to announce that Eric is now enrolled in Jeppesen’s September 2011 Dispatcher course in Denver.

If you have a worthy industry-related cause, please let us know. PNBAA may be able to help expand its appeal and/or possibly make a contribution.