The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and sustaining a pipeline of exemplary pilots, engineers, aviation administrators, and STEM innovators.
Powered by the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, ACE reaches 30,000+ students annually.
Programs span from StoryTime for preschoolers to flight scholarships for teens, and field trips, summer camps, and educational events throughout the year.
MISSION:
Engage, Educate, Accelerate the next generation of aerospace professionals.
VISION:
Build A Brighter Future Through Aviation.
WHAT WE DO
ACE delivers year-round programming that inspires and equips students for careers in aerospace:
Our FREE Middle School Aerospace Curriculum is reaching 150+ schools across 25 states and 5 countries and preparing students for high school aviation pathways and future careers.
STEM Sprouts and StoryTime introduce aviation concepts to children as young as two years old.
Educational field trips, funded by our local airport partners, bring in almost 4,000 5th-8th graders year-round and over 2,500 K-12 students during the annual SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo.
Summer camps for ages 6-17 explore all things aviation and aerospace and are sold out annually.
Scholarships support flight training, so high school students can earn their Private Pilot Certificate. They also fund post-secondary education, allowing students to turn their interests and passions into profitable careers.
Lakeland Aero Club provides hands-on experience in building, flying, and maintaining aircraft while also instilling the importance of teamwork, critical thinking, and responsibility, helping teens become young adults.
OUR NEXT FLIGHT PLAN
The Florida Air Museum was constructed in 1992, and the Aerospace Pavilion project was completed in 1999. For over 25 years, these facilities have been programming anchors and mission-driving cornerstones for our organization. They have hosted field trips, summer camps, and youth education programming and served as gathering places and learning centers for our community. In 2019, ACE embarked on a major capital campaign to build the Ramus Skylab Innovation Center - 10,000 sq. ft. of purposeful, dedicated learning space attached to the Florida Air Museum. This project also combined the Museum and the Pavilion into one unified structure, cementing the fact that these structures are far more than just metal and concrete. Instead, they are a physical representation of our mission at work.
Today, our expanded youth education programming reaches over 30,000 students per year with many programs already at or over capacity. It is time to grow our footprint again by adding another 9,000 sq. ft. of flex space to allow us to continue our work in engaging, educating, and accelerating the next generation of aerospace professionals.
We are proud to present our future forward plan to reimagine the Florida Air Museum and continue to build a brighter future through aviation!
PLAN DETAILS:
Enclose the Aerospace Pavilion adding 9,000 sq. ft. of flexible learning space.
Add a new glass wall on the south end of the Museum allowing for natural light and easy access to the Jerry Holland Destination: Aviationplayground.
Add new, immersive, interactive exhibits to the Florida Air Museum to increase learning and encourage patrons to return often with family members of all ages.
TOTAL PROJECTED EXPENSE: $5.5M
PAVILION CONSTRUCTION: $3.0M
MUSEUM IMPROVEMENTS:
$2.5M
WHY THE PAVILION MATTERS
The Aerospace Pavilion 2.0 is more than a building—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of aerospace innovators. This climate-controlled, flexible facility will:
Support middle and high school students with space for assemblies, guest speakers, and immersive learning. Your investment will directly impact thousands of students annually—creating a legacy of learning, inspiration, and innovation.
Expand early childhood STEM access through StoryTime and STEM Sprouts, which are currently at capacity.
Enable the expansion of year-round programming including summer camps, outreach events, and after-school activities.
Support ACE’s mission through community-driven programming, which generates sustaining revenue, while also freeing the Florida Air Museum to deliver modern, world-class exhibits and year-round educational impact.
FUEL THE MISSION
$1.5M – Mission Leader
Mission Focus: Engage, Educate, Accelerate
Exclusive naming rights for the pavilion for 20 years, transforming the pavilion into a legacy space for aerospace education
Pavilion branded as “The [Sponsor Name] Pavilion” across all signage, digital platforms, and promotional materials
Recognition in all pavilion-related press releases, campaigns, and museum publications
Co-branding on permanent exhibits within the pavilion
Custom video tribute and digital storytelling on museum website
Legacy-level recognition throughout the museum and community
2 private events per year (1 may be during the week of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo)
FUEL THE MISSION
$500K – Engage Donor
Mission Focus: Engage
Support for community engagement, speaker series, and public programming
Naming rights for a key gathering space or event zone
Recognition in press releases and pavilion promotions
One private event per year (including the week of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo)
$500K – Educate Donor
Mission Focus: Educate
Support for curriculum development, exhibits, and student learning programs
Naming rights for an educational exhibit or classroom zone
Recognition in museum publications and educational materials
One private event per year (including the week of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo)
$500K – Accelerate Donor
Mission Focus: Accelerate
Support for youth aviation programs, enrichment, and hands-on STEM learning
Naming rights for a youth-focused area or innovation zone
Recognition in youth programming and outreach campaigns
One private event per year (including the week of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo)
FUEL THE MISSION
$300K – Outdoor Terrace Donor
Mission Focus: Engage
Create a welcoming space for community gatherings and events
Naming rights for the landscaped terrace or patio area
Prominent exterior signage
Recognition in pavilion marketing and event promotions
1 private event per year (including the week of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo)
$250K – Stage Donor
Mission Focus: Educate
Inspire and connect through presentations, performances, and speaker series
Naming rights for the main stage
Branded signage on or near the stage
Recognition in event programs and digital promotions
1 private event per year (excluding the week of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo)
$100K – Legacy Donor
Mission Focus: Accelerate
Support permanent educational content and historical storytelling
Naming rights for a permanent exhibit wall or gallery section
Branded plaque and digital signage
Recognition on museum website and exhibit materials
1 private event per year (excluding the week of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo)
