Today we’d like to introduce you to Lee Giat.
Hi Lee, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
On December 3rd, I will be embarking on a 60-day solo aviation expedition across Latin America. The project is called PASSAGE, which stands for Providing Aid in Science for South America’s General Education. I will be filling a small twin-engine aircraft, the “Spirit of Science,” with STEM education resources for dozens of remote, underprivileged schools.
In addition, I and the team are working with governments and leaders to host various community events! These include astronomy nights, teacher training workshops, teacher & student flights, and science demonstrations. We have an amazing group of people around the world that are helping to put these events together, and making this project that much more impactful.
I grew up flying with my dad ever since I was a kid. He worked as a cargo pilot for decades and occasionally flew aid relief missions in the Caribbean (to the point that he actually called himself the “Pilot of the Caribbean”). He taught me how to fly from a very young age, and I got my private pilot certificate in high school.
Throughout the flight, we will also be producing “Wright of Passage,” a six-episode documentary series highlighting many of the communities the Spirit of Science will visit. The series focuses on overcoming tragedy, managing risk, and making an everlasting change in creative and collaborative ways.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My father passed away in a plane crash in August 2020 in South Florida, just as the PASSAGE fundraiser was about to launch. We were very close and bonded over flying all the time. The last time I saw him was just a few days before the project was revealed on social media.
I kept PASSAGE a secret in hopes of surprising him with this ambitious endeavor. I came down to Miami to film the video, and stayed at his house that evening. We had dinner, talked about airplanes, and ate ice cream. Afterwards, we hugged and I said goodnight.
Little did I know I would never see him again. I hoped to show him that I was going to use aviation as a force for good. He never got the chance to find out. I have no idea what my dad would think about PASSAGE, let alone flying halfway across the planet solo. I just hope I’m building a lasting legacy, and going about this project as safely as possible.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a filmmaker at Flying Ostrich Media full time. Though much of my passion lives within aviation and aerospace. I hope to combine these to make the world a better place, and potentially expand on the impact of PASSAGE. I look forward to establishing lifelong relationships and connections throughout Latin America. Only time will tell how this project unfolds and evolves, but just know this is an absolute labor of love.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/passageflight
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/PASSAGEflight
Image Credits
Southern Affair Photography
