Founded by a Tuskegee Airmen mentee. Built for the kids nobody saw coming.
Our Legal Structure: Mission Aviation Academy (MAA) is the academic division of Infinity Aero Club Tampa Bay, Inc. (iACT), a Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofit flying club. MAA operates as a DBA of iACT for official filing and tax purposes. iACT/MAA is not a certificated flight school and does not hold an FAA Part 61 or Part 141 school certificate. Flight instruction is delivered through our partner CFIs and flight schools.
Ricardo Foster grew up in Jamaica and Brooklyn watching planes overhead and wondering if that sky was for him. In 1990 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy — E-1 to LCDR, 28 years, naval aviation intelligence, advanced to commissioned officer. He retired from the Navy in 2018, then continued serving the mission as a DoD civilian at USCENTCOM. Two years later, while still working at CENTCOM, he founded iACT — the aviation company where he puts it all into practice: getting kids into cockpits, putting drones in their hands, and opening doors to aviation, STEM, entrepreneurship, and AI. He has been building it ever since.
His philosophy is built on the six traits of the Tuskegee Airmen who mentored him: Courage, Perseverance, Excellence, Teamwork, Discipline, and Service. It is also built on Ubuntu — "I am because we are" — and the conviction that cost, geography, or circumstance do not get to determine who flies.
He was personally mentored by Lt. Col. George Hardy (Class 44-H-SE, 332nd Fighter Group, the youngest Red Tail at 19 and the last combat pilot at 100), Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, Flight Officer Daniel Keel — 103 years young, triple-rated airman, and member of the TAI National Chapter and the General Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. Chapter (Orlando) — and inspired by Rev. Reginald Davis, CDR, USN (Ret.) · Airline Captain (Ret.) — carrier pilot, American Airlines Captain, student of Chief Charles Alfred Anderson (Father of Black Aviation), and fellow member of the TAI National Chapter and the General Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. Chapter (Orlando).
Today Ricardo leads Flight Plan 2030 — an initiative targeting one million youth impacted and $10 million raised by 2030. He is also a two-time author: Your Aviation Blueprint (Nov 2, 2026) and Ricky the Explorer: Takes a Magic Flight (Nov 16, 2026).
"I saw talented kids with no pathway. I built the bridge."
Organizational Awards
Select Military Decorations
Speaking Recognition
Academic & Institutional Recognition
28 years Navy. Program lead, curriculum design, and the CFI pathway. Personally completing the pilot credential MAA teaches.
Chief CFI and Skyway Bound Aviation Services founder. Conducts certificate flight instruction through partner aircraft.
Flight instructor and mentor at MAA. Conducts certificate instruction through partner schools' aircraft at X39.
Multi-rated CFI with commercial, instrument, and multi-engine instructor qualifications. Community-facing role.
"The Tuskegee Airmen didn't just break a barrier — they redefined what was possible and proved that excellence has no color. Red Tail Roost exists so every generation after them gets to dream as big, fly as high, and do more. Every visit, every flight, every book, every class is one more student who knows the sky was made for them too."
— LCDR Ricardo "Tattoo" Foster, USN (Ret.) · Founder & CEO
The Red Tail Roost doesn't sit in a hangar. She flies — carrying the Tuskegee legacy into communities, schools, and airfields across the region so that every young person who sees her knows the sky was made for them too.
A 1960 Cessna 172B Skyhawk painted in Tuskegee Airmen tribute colors. Named in honor of the 332nd Fighter Group — the Red Tails who proved that Black pilots could fly, fight, and lead with the same skill and courage as anyone else.
Recently restored after 8½ years of work. Engine complete. Paint completed at Lakeland by Foster's Aircraft Refinishing, Inc. — funded by a generous donation from the Victor Young Foundation. Interior and avionics in progress. She flies.
Over the last six years, 50+ aircraft and more than 100 volunteer pilots and CFIs have contributed to putting 1,380+ students on their first flights — one of the most significant youth aviation outreach records in the Southeast.
LCDR Ricardo Foster, USN (Ret.); Rev. Reginald Davis, CDR, USN (Ret.) · Airline Captain (Ret.); and Flight Officer Daniel Keel are all members of the TAI National Chapter and the General Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. Chapter (Orlando) — led by President Toby Hubbard — honoring the legacy of the first African American four-star general in United States history.
Put a student in the cockpit for the first time. One flight changes everything. Available at Tampa North Aero Park (X39) — limited slots, pre-registration required.
Start Your Flight PathBring the Red Tail Roost tour to your school, JROTC unit, Boys & Girls Club, or community event. Students experience the aircraft, explore the Tuskegee tribute, and discover careers in aviation, STEM, entrepreneurship, and AI innovation.
Become a Co-Op PartnerAvailable for schools, conferences, corporate events, and military installations. Topics: Tuskegee Airmen legacy, aviation careers, Flight Plan 2030, entrepreneurship, and AI innovation. Signed copies of Your Aviation Blueprint and Ricky the Explorer available.
Become a Co-Op PartnerYour Aviation Blueprint and Ricky the Explorer travel with the aircraft. Bulk orders for schools, libraries, JROTC units, and community organizations. Sponsor a copy for a student who can't afford one — $10 bulk rate.
Talk to AdmissionsTuskegee Airman "1st Top Gun Trophy" Scholarship · Brave Bess "Never Stop Learning" Scholarship
Apply or Donate →Flight Plan 2030 · Phase I — "Takeoff"
$102,000 raised of a $200,000 Phase I goal. Every dollar restores the Red Tail Roost aircraft, funds youth scholarships, and extends the Hidden Treasures Tour nationwide.
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