Learning to Fly

Submitted by George M Tsiatis

James Lacerenza overcame a specific challenge in facing his fear of flying and earning his wings. He took a 60-minute flying lesson and landed safely in a Mobile Flight Simulator at Republic Airport in Farmingdale—the first individual with cerebral palsy to pilot it.

Lacerenza faces many challenges each day. He has cerebral palsy, and finds the will to keep pushing further and rising higher, despite the challenges. He has inspired many already with his philanthropic work as the Founder of the ConnectiKids Summer Camp Fund (www.ctkids.org), which has raised over $150,000 since 2005. The organization supports the work of the ALS Therapy Development Institute and The Jett Foundation for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, with a primary focus on sending children and adults with fatal muscle diseases to a weeklong summer camp. For James, they are the true inspirations: “The kids we work with go through unimaginable obstacles,” shared Lacerenza, “On a personal level, they give me all the strength I need to live and to take on any challenge, including my fear of flying.”

Lacerenza met Ventura CEO Nick Tarascio at the Next Level Experience conference. Lacerenza spoke about the many challenges he had overcome, but that his fear of flying was keeping him from leaving the area to visit people he cared about and connected with through his philanthropic work. After hearing him speak, Tarascio approached him with an opportunity: “Try flying with us, so you can face that fear, and we may be able to help you overcome it”. Since there is no accessible small craft plane yet for individuals with cerebral palsy, Ventura had the perfect option in its unique Mobile Flight Simulator.

Ventura’s Mobile Flight Simulator is a complete replica of the controls of an airplane with a multi-screen display that imitates a windshield—it is so lifelike that hours spent training with it count as FAA-certified flight time, and can be logged as such. For Lacerenza, it was the perfect opportunity to overcome this fear, and it was an inspiring afternoon for everyone present.

“It was a privilege for all of us at Ventura to work with James—he is a terrific student and so driven,” said Matt Ostermann of Ventura. “We take a great deal of pride in helping every student that comes to the school find better living through flight. With James, it was so meaningful to be a part of the experience and help him achieve something that others told him would be impossible. That’s what he’s about and it’s something we can all learn from him.”

After his lesson, Lacerenza received his logbook, and had his time logged by his instructor. He dedicated his flight to a young man with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) that he met through Connectikids. “Cody loves planes, cars, and anything to do with transportation,” said Lacerenza. “I may be the first person with cerebral palsy to pilot a mobile flight simulator, but I don’t want to be the last. This is for Cody and every child who dreams of walking, running and flying.”