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7 Everyday Hero
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Jan. 20, 2008: Pilot Teaches Kids To Follow Their Dreams

Gilbert Wheeler Has Inspired Students For 10 Years

POSTED: 6:19 am MST January 21, 2008
UPDATED: 7:20 pm MST January 25, 2008

Kids often dream of becoming a pilot when they grow up, but not all of them have access to the know-how. This week's 7 Everyday Hero shows kids how to make their dreams take flight.

Gilbert Wheeler teaches a class about flying and following your dreams. The class is called On Laughter Silvered Wings -- a phrase from the famous poem about pilots called "High Flight." 

The class is free and designed for inner-city students. 

"Looking at the kids in the inner city -- all they get to see is what their environment is. They never get to see something different like flying. All kids love flying," Wheeler said.

Wheeler is a private pilot, a dream he almost gave up on as a child. He wants to make sure others don't give up on their dreams. So for more than 10 years, he has taught this class for free.

"As a result we have approximately 10 kids who are going off into aviation," he said.

"It's awesome because you get to learn about stuff that you don't regularly don't learn about in school," said one student.

"I've learned so much and I'm thinking about being a pilot when I grow up," another student said.

Denver's Northeast Women's Center provides the space for the class, and Wheeler provides the know-how and enthusiasm.

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