The Flight Sim Pilot Program became the first Virtual Flight Training program in a public school in February 2006. Sixteen students who applied for the elective trained for one semester with instructor Barry Trop, completing 5 levels of the Syllabus. The presiding certified teacher was Julian Edwards, who has been training along side of his students and becoming proficient enough to teach the first four levels of the program by himself. the first experiment proved the value and interest in the program and in September of 06 two more periods of the program were added making total enrollment 45 students per day. Student pilots spend 3 days each week on the simulators, the other 2 days being spent with Mr. Edwards who conducts the academics of flight portion of the program. Students are tested on both the academic and practical parts of flying. In October, Kevin LaRouche, 14 became the first student pilot graduate to log real flight time in a real airplane, on his way to a private pilot license. Several others have taken their first flights at the controls of an aircraft. In February of 07, Orville Wright will open another room of simulators for the advanced classes, bringing the total number of simulators at Wright to 35 and exposing as many as 100 students per semester to the the world of the pilot.
Stephen Rochelle, Principal at Wright and his staff must be given credit for spearheading this dynamic program in their school. Locating funds for computers, instructors and room renovations was an enormous undertaking requiring tremendous focus and perseverance on their part. The namesake of the school would be proud of them for seeing the job through and allowing so many young people a chance to experience flight. Their dedication and commitment to the program serves as an example to others who will follow and attempt to establish a Flight Sim Pilot Program of their own. Sometimes innovative, new ideas must overcome many obstacles, political, financial and personnel, in order to be realized.
Click here to find out about instructor training classes
The Grand Opening of Flight Sim Lab 2
Click on the icons to enlarge.
