Students from all over the country attended the Maine Aviation Career Education camp in July. The camp is for high school students who want to learn about the different career paths that involve aviation. The students were out on Pushaw Lake with pilots from around the state learning how to fly a seaplane.

Maine ACE Camp is a unique educational, hands-on, nation-wide program co-sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration with outstanding support from the U.S. Military, State and local aviation businesses, general aviation, corporate aviation, seaplane pilot groups and hundreds of volunteers. These camps are designed for middle and high school students who have a strong desire to learn about aviation and explore possible aeronautical careers.

Some of the activities students take part in the classroom lessons on Aviation History, Basic Aerodynamics, and Safety. From there they tour local airports, air traffic control facilities, aviation museums, and other sites related to aviation. They fly in aircrafts such as the C152, C172, J3, and BE-58. Students also get to create, build, and launch model rockets and learn teamwork and leadership skills. Expert pilots of different aircraft, crew members, FAA air traffic controllers, and maintenance technicians speak to the students about their jobs and the skills they need.

The FAA is estimating there is going to be 1.3 million job openings in the next 10 years in aviation worldwide. Which is why it’s important for programs like this to inform people about the multitude of different careers in aviation.

One of the young campers from Massachusetts says he’s always had a passion for aviation and knows exactly what he wants to be when he grows up.

“I want to be a pilot. Navy career ground attack and support, and this seemed like the best opportunity to get some flight experience and learn about other careers,” said the young camper. “It was a good experience to learn how to fly a seaplane. This was my first time flying a plane in general and it was really fun.”

Amazing programs like the Maine Aviation Education Camp, or Maine ACE as it’s called, show the many layers of aviation. There’s nothing like flying an aircraft and it takes a lot of people with a lot of different skill sets to get a plane off the ground. At Norfolk Aviation, we’re happy to give you the latest news on what’s happening in aviation. Are you looking to finally get off the ground in your own aircraft? Take a look at our inventory to find the perfect one for you?