Aerospace Flight Academy Offers Chance For Students To Experience "The Power Of Flight"

More than 40 high school students from inner-city neighborhoods of Washington, DC visited Kansas State University at Salina recently, to learn firsthand about the power of flight.

Students attending the Washington-based Aerospace Flight Academy Camp arrived in Salina August 5 for the 10-day visit. They learned to fly some of the 50 learning aircraft in K-State at Salina's fleet, attended ground school and found out what it takes to maintain a modern fleet of aircraft.

The camp is for students already interested in aviation and exposes them to a variety of aviation careers, including piloting, air traffic control, aircraft mechanics, manufacturing and airport operations.

"This program offers a great opportunity for students to learn about aviation and experience a college environment," said Heather Wagoner, event and marketing coordinator for K-State at Salina continuing education.

Over the past year, the K-State at Salina continuing education department has been working with a team from Washington, DC to plan activities and training for the inner-city students.

"This is our second year with the DC Academy and we have some returning participants," Wagoner said. "We all learned a lot last year and put together a more involved schedule this year."

While at K-State at Salina, the students lived in the residence halls, attended college-like classes, toured the Salina Airport Authority and visited both the Smoky Hill Bison Ranch near Lindsborg and the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson.

"We've had great experiences with the DC Academy thus far, and we look forward to continuing to work with these students in the future," Wagoner said.

K-State has a fleet of 50 training aircraft and more Master Certified Flight Instructors than any other college or university in the country. Located on the K-State at Salina campus, the fastest growing college within K-State offers a well-rounded Big 12 university experience shared by 1,000 students in a high tech campus environment.

FMI: www.k-state.edu