 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Headfirst, Into the Clouds…64 Summer Campers Kick Up MMA Summer Camp A Notch or Two! MMA’s Summer Camp 2009 included an aerospace elective designed to give the camper a true aviation experience…and 64 campers stepped up to the challenge! The elective combines five hours of flight experience at the controls of an actual aircraft, as well as an introduction to the world of aviation throughout the four week Camp. Flights are conducted under the supervision of a flight instructor in a safe and controlled environment, and all camper age groups participated. Each camper is given a ‘call sign’, and as MMA Air Wing Instructor/Pilot Captain Eric Hake aka ‘Groucho’ pointed out to campers before they arrived at Camp MMA, “You will receive a call sign before the end of flight encampment, and based on personal experience, I can assure you that call signs are GIVEN, not REQUESTED!” MMA also offers an all-new, fully integrated flight training program known as the MMA Air Wing for cadets enrolled in the academic year at MMA, grades 8-12. The program provides pilot training for MMA students through all FAA certificates from Private Pilot up to Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). The mission of the MMA Air Wing is to educate, inspire and instill the values of duty, self esteem and discipline in young men who aspire to become professional aviators. Under the direction of Col Brian D. Childs, The Air Wing brings a wide range of programs, instructors, airplanes and technology to MMA, opening new doors for those students who express an interest in aviation. Training begins with classroom instruction in one of the Aerospace electives. These classes, taught by an Air Wing Instructor Pilot (I/P), covers the aviation topics required using FAA-approved teaching materials. Cadets then receive one-on-one training with an I/P through all phases of flight. Student pilots, age 16 and older, will work next to obtain their solo flight qualification. By age 17, they can be ready to obtain their Private Pilot certificate! For younger students, the Air Wing offers a complete aviation experience including aircraft familiarity, basic ground and flight instruction, as well as aviation-related field trips. For many, this early introduction to the world of flight ignites a passion which can ultimately lead to a career in aviation.
|
|
