PHS celebrates senior Kamura after earning private pilot certification

The Poughkeepsie City School District emphasizes career readiness as a vital aspect of an education. Poughkeepsie High School recently celebrated one student who is already set to hit the ground running – or, rather, flying – after graduation.

Milton Kamura, a senior and the cadet squadron commander of the school’s Air Force Junior ROTC, became an FAA-certified private pilot over the summer, having completed eight weeks of training at the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Kamura attended the Air Force’s Flight Academy Program having earned a full scholarship, one of 94 students selected across the country.

Additionally, Kamura became a certified drone pilot after completing the FAA Safety Team Aviation Learning Center’s online course for unmanned aerial systems.

Kamura has long wanted to become a commercial pilot, inspired by the idea of being paid to feel the joy of air travel while safely transporting passengers or cargo. He set himself on his path by joining the AFJROTC at Poughkeepsie, which “provided me with foundational skills and guidance,” he said, noting the group “began shaping my aspirations, serving as a compass directing me in my endeavors.”

Through the AFJROTC he learned about and joined the Lee A. Archer Jr. Red Tail Youth Flying Program at New York Stewart International Airport in New Windsor in 2023. He also helped the high school launch its Aviation Club as a student coordinator, alongside Master Sgt. Malachi Carmichael and Red Tails Flight Academy Executive Director Carlos Rodriguez. He noted these resources allowed him to study and pass the FAA Private Pilot written exam before attending this summer’s flight academy, and gave him a head start on the instruction.

“During my time at the flight academy, I mentored my peers, often teaching them subjects they had difficulty with, or giving them advice on how to study for the written exam,” he said. “Receiving instruction from flight and ground instructors was my greatest delight while at the academy, due to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. I thrived in the community-like setting, which strengthened my determination to earn my Private Pilot certificate.”

Kamura, who also played piano during the school’s National Honor Society induction ceremony last spring, said he was “filled with joy” when he did receive that certification, and he reflected on the time and sacrifice it took to earn it. He said he is thankful to the people and organizations, including the district, who enabled this journey, and his community for their support as he continues to move toward his ultimate goal of becoming a professional at an airline after college. He noted, he plans to serve as a mentor for other students who seek to fly.

“I was in their shoes not too long ago,” he said.

Carmichael said Kamura’s accomplishments reveal a path he hopes future Poughkeepsie students with similar aspirations can follow. Though, he noted the “a lot of hard work, dedication, determination and specific details” went into Kamura reaching this point.

“This is just the beginning of many more great things to come for this young man,” Carmichael said.