Captain Kimbo And Her Co-pilots' Excellent Adventure

Video and story by Michael Walton

Captain Kim "Kimbo" Murray (right) with two of her "co-pilots" from Kendall School

Students at Kendall Demonstration Elementary School in Washington, D.C. recently traveled to Reagan National Airport to get up close and personal with the science of flight.

Captain Kim "Kimbo" Murray is a Southwest Airlines pilot who lost almost all of her hearing in one of her ears. Curious about deaf culture, and encouraged to join Southwest's Adopt-A-Pilot program, Kim asked Kendall School to be her Adopt-A-Pilot partner.

Francisca Rangel, Kendall School's 4th and 5th grade teacher, was enthusiastic about her school being selected to participate in the Adopt-A-Pilot program with Captain Kimbo. Her students prepared their classroom for Kim's first visit by drawing charts and diagrams explaining how birds fly and the science of flight. Captain Kimbo visited her "co-pilots" twice and presented some fun and educational stories to Rangel's students.

The partnership between Murray and Kendall came to an exciting and fun-filled conclusion with a field trip to Reagan National Airport. In addition to talking with other pilots and representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration, students were also able to talk to and learn from a deaf pilot, Eric Mansfield. Eric, a teacher at Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick, Maryland, was invited along on the trip and shared his knowledge and experience about what it's like to fly an airplane. The students also walked through several jet aircraft, a helicopter, and even sat in the cockpit of a glider.

Captain Kimbo received an unexpected surprise when her mother, Marilyn Murray, presented her with a birthday cake. Then, the group signed "Happy Birthday" to their favorite pilot.

If you are interested in being involved in the Adopt-A-Pilot program, visit the website at: Southwest Airlines Adopt-A-Pilot Program

View Reagan National Airport Tour Video