Held during Hispanic Heritage Month, Project Takeoff 2025 brought energy and inspiration to the Great Hall at DEN, offering students and the traveling public a rare opportunity to meet real-life pilots and aviation professionals. Sponsored by CEEA and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the event is part of our year-round commitment to helping students explore aviation careers.  

Many of those students come with one big question: How do I become a pilot?  — Project Takeoff gave them the chance to ask that directly to professionals who’ve walked that path, gaining insight into personal journeys, training, career options, and advice for navigating the aviation industry. 

We were honored to host several non-profit aviation affinity groups, including Latino Pilots Association (LPA), Women in Aviation International (WAI), the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), and the Professional Asian Pilots Association (PAPA). These organizations support aspiring aviators—pilots and non-pilots alike—with mentorship, scholarships, and career guidance.

Students even had the chance to test their skills in a flight simulator with instruction from a commercial pilot! We encourage everyone to visit these groups’ websites to learn more and take the next step in their aviation journey. DEN Project Takeoff will return next year, and we’re excited to make it even bigger with the official opening of our new CEEA space!