Ginger's flight took place on a Cessna 172. It lasted for about 20 minutes. She was awarded a Young Eagle Certificate at the end of her experience.
There was a small static aircraft display.
A US Army Black Hawk helicopter flew in for a few hours while we were there. (Even with all of the air shows at McGuire Air Force Base that we've been to, we were never before allowed inside the Black Hawk!)
Then a bus was available to transport us across the runway to the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center. We were able to tour this campus where pilots learn how to fly and aircraft are built.
Here they had several Challenger Learning Center E-mission simulations run by NASA where you were in direct contact with the space station. There was a feed from our classroom to inside the space station where we were able to communicate with the commander. (I was upset when our simulation was canceled for not having enough students.)
Star Lab, a portable planetarium, was on site.
They had a hot air balloon station where kids made hot air balloons out of trash bags.
Finally, next door was the Robert C. Byrd Institute where we were given a tour of another school. In this school they focus on their massive metalworking workshop and inventing different advanced manufacturing technologies (making new composites for the aerospace industry as well as other fields).
Here are some pictures. I can't even begin to explain the day. It was amazing. Oh, and everything was free!
Ginger's learning about the control panel inside the plane.
Ginger poses by the Black Hawk.
Ginger poses inside the Black Hawk.
Ginger poses with the flight crew. The pilot was especially impressed by the awesome opportunity available to these young kids at this event.
The next few pictures are from Ginger's flight.
The next few pictures are from Ginger's flight.
Then, at the school, here is Ginger with an airplane engine cutaway.
Pin It
very cool! We have an active local Young Eagles Program and our kids went up 3 or 4 times when they were younger. They were even allowed to "fly" the plane once... it is an great opportunity for kids and it's a wonder they aren't swamped, but they usually aren't. My guys loved it.
ReplyDeleteIncredible learning oppty! Thanks for submitting this to the Hands-on Carnival. It doesn't get more hands-on that sitting inside a Black Hawk!
ReplyDeleteHow awesome is that? Great pics, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete