The Department of Aviation at Syracuse Hancock International Airport is committed to involving the public in programs related to aviation/aerospace as often as possible. One way we do this is through youth education programs. One such program is the Umoja Squadron. This group meets weekly during the school year at the Airport, and is sponsored by the Aviation Aerospace Education Foundation and the City of Syracuse. Members of the Squadron progress through a program that focuses on aviation and aerospace education, leadership training, and physical fitness. The group also takes at least one field trip per year. The Squadron was implemented in 1998, and has continually seen increased interest and membership.

The Department offers an airport tour program, providing an average of 100 tours on an annual basis. Tours can be arranged for almost any age group; participants ages 4 and up will benefit the most from the tour and presentation; younger children might prefer to have time in the indoor playground and then lunch in one of the Airport's conference rooms. With advance notice, it may be possible to schedule a tour of the Syracuse Fire Department Airport Division.

If you are interested in scheduling a tour of the Airport, please contact the Department of Aviation at (315) 454-3263 or by email at information@syrairport.org.

Aviation Camp

The Department, in conjunction with the City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs, sponsors Aviation Camp for two weeks each summer. Youth aged 8-13 can register; the sessions are divided based on age limits. This is a popular program each year, and registration often fills to capacity. The schedule for Aviation Camp consists mainly of tours to several of the businesses/operations located at or near the Airport. In the past, "campers" have visited the Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control Tower, C&S Engineers, the New York State Police Offices, Syracuse Executive Air Services, Inc., United Parcel Service, the 174th Fighter Wing of the New York Air National Guard, CA One Services, Inc., and the Airfield Maintenance and Syracuse Fire Divisions of the Department. Participants have the opportunity to see parts of the Airport that is not typically available to members of the public. The Department is very fortunate to have strong working relationships with tour providers, who are very generous with their time and expertise.

By offering educational initiatives at the Airport, we hope to make the general public aware of aviation industry, specifically airports, and to provide this meaningful exposure to our youth so that they might increase their awareness of potential career opportunities in the aviation industry.

Airshows

Syracuse Hancock International Airport hosted airshows for six consecutive years, beginning in 1997. The Department attempted, in 2003 and 2004, to schedule a military demonstration team for a possible airshow; each year, we were unable to do so. Without such a team to draw a large crowd, there is a very high risk for poor attendance. For that reason, the Department decided that it was not economically feasible to schedule an airshow the past two years. We hope to be able to schedule another airshow in the future.

We have had very exciting and talented performers at our airshows over the years, including the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the Northern Lights Aerobatic Team, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Franklin Airshows Wingwalking, the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and many, many more. You can watch some clips of the 2002 airshow that featured the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, on the video wall in the Discover the Airport Exhibit.

Proceeds from the airshow fund the Aviation/Aerospace Education Foundation, the Umoja Squadron, and annual scholarships awarded to college students enrolled in aviation/aerospace related programs.