Day 2
Hello Again,
We are finished with day two. I’ve included a few more pictures this time and edited those on the web site. If there is an image that you would like a higher quality original please let me know. The link to the images is here.
Today we spent a lot of time on using the X-Plane sim to practice take offs and landings. The kids worked hard at developing the skills of attitude control, airspeed control while coordinating turns in the pattern. While this is quite an advanced skill, some of the simulator work on the game and practice sim showed much improvement over yesterday. Today three participants actually flew the pattern very close to private pilot standards. I was quite impressed with their discipline and effort in accomplishing this. While I worked with two at a time the others rotated between the RC sim, game sim and another xplane sim. They had a good time playing the networked game sim. The morning went so fast we broke for lunch around 1pm. We enjoyed a video about bush pilots during lunch and in the afternoon we worked on aeronautical maps, reviewed and worked on a brain teaser. I did not get to weather today but anticipating beginning that conversation tomorrow. Another great day.
I wanted to see if you would be able to drop off and pick up the kids at the California Flight Center. If I have not already spoken with you please let me know. It would save some time and as parents, you would get a chance to walk around the flight center a little and see some of the presentations. Click here for the directions to the California Flight Center. Their phone number is 562-490-2662. They are located on the Boeing side of the airport off of Cherry Ave.
Each day I share an aviation related article with the kids so that we make some historical connection. The article that I shared with the kids on Monday was an article about Butch O’Hare and his father Eddie O’Hare AKA ‘Easy Eddie’. Easy Eddie was a mob lawyer. It is at least an interesting story that highlights doing the right thing. Click here for the article.
I wanted to share some information with you about aviation camps that I found recently from the Associated press. This article was written on April 12, 2009 so it is fairly recent. It goes through several reasons why aviation camp is “good for a child or young person”. Please follow the link for the complete article titled “Five Reasons Aviation Camp is good for a Child or Young Person” if you’d like to read more. The readers Digest version is as follows:
“It’s fun. ”
“There’s a lot of interesting history in aviation, which means there are a lot of good stories. You’re never too young to enjoy a good story.”
“There are a lot of diverse career opportunities available in aviation-related fields. ”
“Flight training may make your child or young person a safer driver. ”
“Learning about aviation gives a child or young person a new perspective on weather, physics, geography and the world.”
I do agree with what the article has to say and its value to young people. I would add to this list by pointing out that most of the people interested in aviation tend to be high achieving and motivated individuals. That is not a bad group for young people to be associated with.