OPEN POSITIONS
Three ways to serve
All positions are at Tampa North Aero Park (X39), Wesley Chapel, FL — with virtual and Saturday options. Posted roles are also listed at infinityaeroclub.org.
MAA needs CFIs who believe in what this mission stands for. MAA-affiliated CFIs deliver certificate flight instruction through partner schools — Central Florida Flight Training and Wings of an Angel Aviation. You'll work with SUFS-funded students and be part of the team that built a 90–95th percentile Part 107 pass rate. MAA's own Cessna 172 (N7480X) is used for discovery flights and flying club rental only.
- CFI or CFI/CFII/MEI certification required
- Part 61 flexible pathway experience preferred
- Certificate instruction conducted through partner school aircraft
- FlightCircle student management platform used
- Independent contractor structure — rate and scope per written agreement
- Scheduling coordinated with MAA Program Director
Apply — CFI Position →
Lead MAA's Drone Bootcamp — a 54-hour program built on the Read → Watch → Do → Fly method. You'll teach beginner through advanced levels, support Part 107 prep, and help students earn one of the fastest credentials in aviation.
- FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate required
- Drone instruction or UAS operations experience
- Beginner, intermediate, and advanced level teaching
- Bootcamp and Saturday session availability
- LAANC, mapping, commercial ops experience a plus
Apply — Drone Instructor →
All interns start as volunteers — nonprofit service with real deliverables, real mentorship, and a portfolio when you're done. Paid contractor positions activate when funded contracts come in. Five tracks match every skill set.
- Drone Ops, Pilot Observer, AeroSTEM, AI/Digital, or Marketing
- Letter of service + LinkedIn rec from Ricardo on completion
- Intro flight opportunity at 80+ volunteer hours
- Part 107 ground school materials access
- AFJROTC Flight Academy scholarship referral eligibility
View All Five Tracks →
Ambassadors are champions of the mission who advocate publicly, inspire youth and veterans, attract donors and sponsors, and serve as living examples of the 5 Platforms of Success. Three levels — every background welcome.
LOCAL — Community Champion
Schools, clubs, churches, local business. Recruit youth, host awareness events, connect small donors. Pilots, STEM teachers, veterans, small business owners.
NATIONAL — Industry Influencer
Speaking engagements, policy advocacy, fundraising campaigns. Airline pilots, aerospace engineers, entrepreneurs, thought leaders.
GLOBAL — Legacy Leader
CARICOM, Africa, Latin America, Europe, Asia partnerships. Retired generals, astronauts, tech CEOs, international philanthropists.
Apply — MAA Ambassador →
OPEN ROLES
Ten positions. Every skill set.
Most work is remote during the week. Optional in-person Saturdays 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Tampa North Aero Park (X39). School credit available where applicable. Each role can be filled as volunteer, unpaid intern, or paid intern based on funding and qualifications.
01
Website & Social Media Assistant & Intern
Update webpages, post news, create short videos and reels, schedule content, and respond to online inquiries.
Website tools
Social media
Video/reels
Design a plus
02
Entrepreneurial Program Manager & Intern Age 18+
Support workshops, assist with donor outreach and partnerships, help build small business projects and pitch decks. Interest in startups, finance, or marketing — prior experience helpful but not required.
Startups
Donor outreach
Pitch decks
Finance/Marketing
03
Drone & Pilot Instructor (CFI) & Intern
Assist with Part 107 study groups, drone labs, simulator sessions, scheduling discovery flights, and documenting training. Part 107 or flight time is a plus — not required.
FAA Part 107
Drone labs
Simulator sessions
Flight scheduling
04
Aviation Maintenance Technician Program Manager & Intern
Help with kit-build tasks, light sport maintenance support, tool tracking, parts research, and documentation. Mechanical aptitude required — AMT or LSRM exposure is a plus.
Kit builds
Light sport maintenance
Tool tracking
AMT/LSRM a plus
05
Human Resources Program Manager & Admin Intern
Help with onboarding, scheduling, records, volunteer coordination, and policy drafts. Organization and clear communication are the core requirements.
Onboarding
Scheduling
Volunteer coordination
Policy drafts
06
Executive Assistant & Intern
Support the CEO and leadership team, prepare briefings, follow up on action items, and coordinate meetings. Strong professionalism and writing skills required — prior EA or project coordination experience preferred.
CEO support
Briefings
Action items
EA experience preferred
07
Donor Relations Team Coordinator & Intern Path to paid work
Organize donor pipelines, track follow-ups, manage call-back scripts, produce weekly status reports, and coordinate thank-you touchpoints. CRM or spreadsheet comfort and excellent follow-through required.
Donor pipeline
CRM
Follow-through
Fundraising a plus
08
Funding Assistant Coordinator & Intern Path to paid work
Research grants and corporate giving, draft letters of inquiry, maintain calendars and submission checklists, and help assemble proposals. Strong writing and research skills required — prior grant experience is a plus.
Grants research
Letters of inquiry
Proposal assembly
Grant experience a plus
09
Event Lead Planner, Assistant & Intern
Plan Saturday open-house operations, Aviation Merit Badge days, speaker events, and partner showcases. Handle run-of-show, vendor coordination, and onsite logistics. Event planning or hospitality experience helpful but not required.
Event planning
Run-of-show
Vendor coordination
Onsite logistics
10
Corporate Donor Relations Assistant & Intern Path to paid work
Support corporate outreach lists, manage briefings for meetings, prep sponsorship decks, and coordinate follow-ups after calls. Business writing and professionalism required — sales or partnership background is a plus.
Corporate outreach
Sponsorship decks
Business writing
Sales a plus
COMPENSATION STRUCTURE
Volunteer first — paid when funded
Every intern starts as a volunteer. Paid contractor roles activate when MAA secures funded contracts. The path is transparent — here's exactly how it works.
WHERE EVERYONE STARTS
Volunteer Intern
- Nonprofit volunteer service — unpaid
- Official Letter of Service on completion
- LinkedIn recommendation from Ricardo
- Portfolio artifacts filed in iACT Drive
- Intro flight opportunity at 80+ hours
- Part 107 training materials access
- AFJROTC scholarship referral eligibility
- 8-week commitment minimum
WHEN FUNDING ACTIVATES
Paid Contractor Intern
- Activated by funded contract — not automatic
- Independent contractor structure
- Rate and scope defined per written agreement
- 1099 required — contractor agreement signed first
- All volunteer benefits still apply
- Track 05 (Funding/Marketing) most common path
- Subject to Ricardo's written approval
WHAT YOU TAKE WITH YOU
Real outcomes. Real credentials.
Every intern who completes in good standing leaves with a documented record — not just experience on a résumé.
📄
Letter of Service
Official iACT letterhead. Hours, track, deliverables completed. Signed by LCDR Ricardo Foster.
🤝
LinkedIn Recommendation
Personal recommendation from Ricardo for interns who complete in good standing.
📁
Portfolio Artifacts
Every finalized deliverable filed under your name in iACT Drive. Reference in any application.
🛸
Part 107 Materials Access
Full access to iACT's Part 107 ground school materials for personal study throughout your term.
✈️
Introductory Flight
At 80+ volunteer hours: eligibility for one introductory flight observation at X39 in the Red Tail Roost.
🎖️
AFJROTC Scholarship Referral
Qualifying cadets nominated for the AFJROTC Flight Academy scholarship pipeline.
🌐
Ambassador Network Access
MAA Ambassadors are listed as community representatives and invited to all MAA events, tour stops, and fly-ins.
8-WEEK PROGRAM
From Day 1 to capstone
Every intern follows the same milestone structure. Weekly SITREPs keep everyone aligned. Saturdays at X39 are part of the commitment.
WEEK 1
Orientation at X39. 3-goal card submitted. Track onboarding begins.
WEEK 2
Deliverable 1 in draft. Weekly SITREP every Friday by 1700.
WEEK 3
Mid-point check-in. Deliverable 1 finalized. Hours logged.
WEEK 4
Cross-track project. Contribute to another intern's track.
WEEK 5
Deliverable 2 started. Live workshop support at X39.
WEEK 6
Deliverable 2 complete. All hour logs current and verified.
WEEK 7
Capstone draft submitted. All hours verified by mentor.
WEEK 8
15-min capstone presentation. Exit interview. Letter of service issued.
THE TEAM YOU JOIN
Work alongside this crew
MAA's instructors are active practitioners — not career academics. Everyone on this team has earned their credentials through the work.
LCDR Ricardo "Tattoo" Foster
Founder & CEO
USN (Ret.) · 100% Disabled Veteran · 35 years Naval Aviation Intelligence · Mentored by Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. George Hardy, 332nd Fighter Group
Erik Meredith
Partner CFI — Central Florida Flight Training
Owner/Chief CFI · CFI/CFII/MEI/AGI/IGI · Gold Seal · Primary flight instruction delivery partner · Zephyrhills, FL
Josh Torres
Partner CFI — Wings of an Angel Aviation
CFI · Tampa, FL · Flight instruction delivery partner
Walter Matthews
Lead CFI / Program Director
MAA-affiliated CFI. Part 61 and Part 141 qualified. Certificate instruction through partner school aircraft.
Ahviyona Floyd
CFI
CFI / CFII / MEI. Three aviation ratings by age 19. Volunteer CFI committed to making a difference in MAA students' lives. Certificate instruction through partner school aircraft.
Rand Vollmer
CFI-G — Motor Glider Program
Certified Flight Instructor — Glider. Motor glider program at Zephyrhills (KZPH). Endorsed John Humphreys' solo at age 14.
Phil Mednick
CFI-LSA / Advisory Board & Flight Mentor
MAA-affiliated CFI. FAA Cert. No. 3205411 (Exp. April 2028). Advisory Board member and flight mentor. Ricardo's trusted sounding board.
Tyson Mickie
CFI Volunteer
CFI / CFII / ATP. Volunteer flight instructor supporting MAA students and mission sets.
Philip Sobers
Senior Drone Instructor
Part 107 program support. Senior instructor on the drone bootcamp team.
Earl Johnson
Veteran Scholar / Senior Instructor
First solo flight milestone at MAA. Drone bootcamp co-instructor. Veteran student turned team member.
Christopher Marquis
Drone Instructor
Part 107 ground school instructor. Drone bootcamp lead instructor.
Kimolyn Vernon
Corporate Sponsor & Scholarship Coordinator
Community outreach lead and corporate partnership coordinator. MAA family — son Kodie Vernon is an enrolled MAA student and AFROTC cadet.
Amanda Wyandt
Director of Women's Outreach & Executive Board Member
Board-level leadership. Leads women's aviation outreach and community engagement across MAA programs.
Sunni Austin
sUAS Operator / Student-Instructor
UAS operator and student-instructor supporting drone operations and training at X39.
STUDENT ALUMNI
They came through the door not knowing if they belonged
These students walked into MAA without a roadmap. Their milestones are in the book. Their names are in these pages because they earned it.
John Humphreys
Student · Solo at Age 14
Motor glider solo at Zephyrhills (KZPH) at age 14, endorsed by CFI-G Rand Vollmer. Featured in Your Aviation Blueprint as proof of what happens when a student is placed in a system designed to succeed.
Tevin Brown
Student · Solo Milestone
Solo flight milestone at MAA. Left behind a line worth keeping: "Even a bad approach — you can always go around."
Bella Bryant
Student · MAA Alumni
MAA student. Named in the dedication of Your Aviation Blueprint among the students who walked through the door not knowing if they belonged.
Earl Johnson (EJ)
Alumni → Drone Instructor / Aerospace Engineer
Came up through MAA as a volunteer. Earned FAA Part 107, became lead drone instructor, launched his own drone company, and now works as an aerospace engineer — while still teaching the next class at MAA.
ELIGIBILITY
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✓Age 16 and older
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✓Read and write English
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✓US Citizen, Green Card holder, or valid work permit
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✓School credit documentation available on request
TIME & LOCATION
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✈Remote work during the week — flexible AM/PM
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✈Optional in-person Saturdays · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
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✈Tampa North Aero Park (X39) · Lutz, FL
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✈Weekend in-person hours available by arrangement
Ready to apply?
Send your résumé and a brief note on which position or track you're applying for. All applications are reviewed by Ricardo personally. Use the subject line format shown below so your email routes correctly.
STEP 01
Send your résumé + video
Email your résumé and a 3–4 minute video discussing your experience and why you're applying. Both are required.
STEP 02
Use the right subject line
Subject: "ATTN [Role Applying For]" — state your preferred track (volunteer / unpaid intern / paid intern) and your availability.
STEP 03
Ricardo reviews personally
Every application is read by Ricardo. Expect a response within 5 business days.
STEP 04
Orientation at X39
Selected candidates complete an orientation day at Tampa North Aero Park before beginning.
SEND RÉSUMÉ & APPLICATIONS TO
admissions@missionaviationacademy.org
Subject: "ATTN [Role Name]" · Include: résumé, 3–4 min video, preferred track, and availability
Open Email →