The Urban Pilots & Professional Network Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that is geared towards training, mentoring, entertaining and enhancing aviation awareness for young people and other participants of our programs.
As a member supported not-for-profit organization, the Urban Pilots & Professional Network seeks to promote and develop a keen interest in Aviation. One of UPN's goals is to bring about an awareness of important visible minority contributions in aviation, not traditionally nurtured in current academic programs.
UPN strives to foster excellence in it's staff, its members and its volunteers. This organization is committed to providing youth career development and mentorship programs, community based social activities for its members, and help in facilitating future academic and business opportunities in the field of Aviation.
To bridge the gap between the Urban community and the Aviation community.
Inspiring to Aspire Higher.
The Urban Pilots & Professional Network incorporates under the leadership of Tony Lawrence, Len Isaacs, and Bill Shepard. The three would form the original UPN board of directors and begin creating programs that would inspire our youth towards aviation careers.
First UPN Summer Camp takes place in partnership with Camps United at the Elmbank Community Centre. A small group of children aged 9-13 begin to learn the basics of flying on simulators during this period.
UPN reaches 20 members and begins the "UPN in the schools program". With the increased membership UPN starts to reach out to the schools and begins to become a presence in the school system, performing live seminars, assemblies and career fairs to promote aviation opportunities.
UPN is approved for funding by the Ontario Trillium Foundation through their Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) to run the Youth Taking Flight summer camp for the next three consecutive summers.
UPN celebrates the success and career progression of their members at the UPN Year End Event, and surpasses the 50 member milestone.