Tucked between rows of bright blue lockers are the doors to the NFA-ACE Flight Academy in Escambia High School. Once you walk through the doors, it feels as though you’ve stepped into a Navy ship. Under the glow of blue lights and computer screens, students show attendees around the room. Rows of computers display different stages of the flight simulator program.
“The concept of the flight academy was to find a way to engage students in math, science, engineering and technology,†said Gerald Hoewing, a retired vice admiral and president of The National Flight Academy.
Escambia High School is just the beginning. In May 2012, the National Aviation Museum will feature the Top Gun-like room. Hoewing said Warrington Middle School and certain community centers will soon have the academy as well. The flight simulator software, Prepar3d by Lockheed Martin, is also available to play online.
“We have the opportunity to reach millions,†Hoewing said. “We want to inspire and educate students and teachers.â€
Bob Rainey has been a math and science instructor at Escambia High School for six years. Like Hoewing, he was in the Navy and is excited to be able to teach students about aviation and make subjects like math and science fun.
“We are really doing great things here,†Rainey said.
In front of each computer is a joystick, making the setup look more like a video game than work.
“That was the intent,†Rainey said.
Casey Gibson and Avery Cecil are two of the students introducing the software to those daring to fly. Both have aspirations to become commercial pilots and are grateful for a course that is not only interesting, but worthwhile. Neither has their driver’s license and yet they are learning to fly.
“If I wasn’t in this course I would’ve taken lessons at Ferguson Aviation Academy,†said 15-year-old Cecil.
Gibson and Cecil show me how to fly. After a simple, quiet flight I ask them to show me the fun stuff. The freestyle mode. I chose a Blue Angel plane and pulled the joystick back to do flips and twists until the computer screen went black.
“I guess that means you passed out,†Cecil said.
Gibson and Cecil enjoy the whole aviation process, not just the showy stuff. They’re not just in it for the peanuts.
“I like planning the missions,†Gibson said. “Like today, we had to prepare a five-leg mission over 400 miles. You have to plan your air speed, altitude and frequency.â€
“When you love everything about aviation, it’s hard to be specific,†Cecil said.