Member Stories:
Bill Powley, Teacher & Aviator
Herbert W. (Bill) Powley graduated from the United
States Air Force Academy in 1967, flying the F-4, A-7 and
F-16 jets during two tours in Vietnam as a fighter pilot.
After becoming a test pilot and serving in the USAF in
other capacities, Bill retired with the rank of Lt. Col.
Since then, the “Flight Lesson Instructional Grants Helping Teens”
(FLIGHT) Foundation has been established in Tennessee for students
of all ages. The non-profit chartered foundation was formed to
provide funding to ensure the continuance of an already proven
and established aerospace education program in Air Force Junior
ROTC at Unicoi County High School. In 2001 the program moved to
Sullivan County. Since April 1992, 3292 flights with 9164 students/
passengers for orientation flights have been made, most by retired
Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Powley and all sponsored by grants and
donations. In 1999, the foundation received a NASA grant, and since
2000 a grant from the Tennessee Aeronautics Division each year. This
grant money is used along with matching funds from local, regional,
and national donations to sponsor the flight program.
Since September 1996, 152 students have earned their solo wings from 18 different high schools, home-schools,
and three colleges, and since 2002 fourteen students have received their private pilot’s license. In June 1998, the
first solo cadet went to the Air Force Academy (USAFA), and since then a total of seven solo students have received
appointments to USAFA and three to West Point. Five solo students have attended the flight program at Middle
Tennessee State University as professional pilots, and one is enrolled at Purdue. In 2010, Col Powley won the top
aerospace science instructor in the nation (A. Scott Crossfield Award) and was the first recipient of the Tennessee
Aviation Person of the Year Award. In 2011 he received the Tennessee Career Contributions to Aviation Award, and
in 2013 was inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame for this program.
With emphasis needed on math and science skills, character education, discipline, leadership, team building, and
motivation, this program provides an excellent opportunity to accomplish all of these goals as well as provide the
basis for future careers in aviation and service to our country in the Armed Forces.
As a ProEd member, veteran fighter pilot, teacher and mentor to many, we are immensely proud of Lt. Col. Powley
as he retires as a teacher in Sullivan County. He remains active in his community, continues to fly - he just took
up thirteen senior citizens who had “flying high over the city on their bucket lists”. He is Married to Phillis A. Fox
of Westport, CT, and has three sons, Bob
Powley, Bill Powley, and Cord Fox, as well
as four grandchildren.
Congratulations, Lt. Col. Powley. We
cannot thank you enough for your service
to our country and our children.
For further information, including
briefings on the program, contact
the foundation at:
1 Three Springs Lane
Unicoi, TN 37692
Phone (423) 502-1605
[email protected]