Variety Of Aviation/Aerospace Courses Available
Teenagers interested in hands-on
exploration of aviation and aerospace topics will want to sign up
for the Summer Academy operated by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University at its Daytona Beach, FL campus.
The Summer Academy, which will run from June 9 to August 6,
offers educational programs for students ages 12-18. This
year’s courses, some of which may be taken for college
credit, are Aerospace I, Aerospace II, Aviation Career Exploration,
Aviation Discovery for Women, Flight Exploration, Aviation Voyage,
Generations, and SunFlight. Application is required a month before
the start date of each camp.
Summer Academy programs include housing in an Embry-Riddle
student dormitory, on-campus meals, classroom instruction, and
educational materials. Students in some camps will take field trips
that may include Kennedy Space Center, Orlando Science Center,
Fantasy of Flight, a major theme park, and a water park.
Transportation for off-campus activities is provided by
Embry-Riddle.
Aspiring astronauts and scientists learn about NASA programs,
space shuttle operations, and the history of space flight in
Aerospace I. The course fosters a basic
understanding of space and space technology through field trips,
guest speakers, and classroom lectures. Students design and build
two space-station models, one on land and one in a zero-gravity
environment. The program runs June 22 to July 15. Tuition is
$4,300.
Aerospace II provides an overview of US and
international space programs, focusing on the Earth and its
environment, methods of scientific exploration, and
spacecraft-payload criteria at the introductory physics level. The
course includes hands-on activities, labs, and classroom
instruction. The program runs July 17 to August 6, and tuition is
$4,300.
In Aviation Career Exploration, students use
state-of-the-art simulation devices to sample various aspects of
aircraft maintenance, air traffic management, engineering, flight,
human factors, meteorology, and space technology. Also included are
field trips, guest speakers, labs, and classroom instruction. Two
sessions are available: July 6-12 or July 20-26. Tuition is
$1,275.
Industry professionals teach the Aviation Discovery for
Women course, designed for female students ages 15-18 with
an interest in aviation and aerospace. Topics to be covered include
current developments and career possibilities in aircraft
maintenance, air traffic management, engineering, flight,
meteorology, and space technology. The program runs July 13-26.
Tuition is $3,300.
Flight Exploration is an introduction to flying
and flight training in which students practice flight maneuvers and
learn how an airplane responds to cockpit commands, how to comply
with aviation regulations, and how to analyze weather conditions.
The course includes field trips, flight and ground lab instruction,
and a logbook to record flight hours. Three sessions are available.
For the June 9-13 session (no campus housing available), the
tuition is $1,950. For the sessions that run June 22-28 or July 27
to August 2, tuition is $2,300.
Aviation Voyage was
developed so that students ages 13-18 can apply the lessons learned
in the Flight Exploration program to procedures such as flight
planning and preflighting the aircraft. Students are required to
bring their Flight Exploration logbook with them to continue
recording their flight hours. This program runs July 13-19. The
tuition is $2,500 and includes flight fees, simulator sessions,
field trips, classroom instruction, and materials.
The Generations program allows a parent/child
or grandparent/grandchild pair to share experiences as they learn
about aircraft maintenance, air traffic management, flight,
meteorology, and space technology. The program runs July 14-18.
Tuition is $2,300 per pair and includes flight fees, simulator
sessions, field trips, classroom instruction, and materials.
Three SunFlight programs offer flight
instruction. All students must possess a Class II Medical before
the start date of these courses. Tuition includes field trips,
ground lab, classroom instruction, books, materials, and a deposit
toward flight fees.
In the SunFlight Solo Camp, the goal is for all
qualified students to solo by the end of the program. Two sessions
are offered: June 22 to July 11 and July 17 to Aug. 4. Tuition is
$6,000.
Students in the SunFlight Private Pilot Camp
earn a Private Pilot certificate. The program runs June 22 to Aug.
6. Tuition is $18,000.
In the SunFlight Custom Flight Training Camp,
qualified private pilots can continue their flight training. For
example, the student could gain an instrument rating or
multi-engine land rating or undergo upset training. Tuition and
dates will be determined based on the flight training needed.