HOUGHTON, Mich. (WZMQ) – Like all careers, everyone must start somewhere. Pilots, for example, must learn the precision, safety, and responsibility that comes with flying.
Michigan Tech’s Aviation course in its Summer Youth Program makes sure that its students learn these traits at a hands-on level.
The week-long training course teaches them everything they need to know, as they spend most of the week training on flight simulators, before taking to the skies at the end of the course.
Due to weather concerns later in the week, students were given this opportunity to fly a few days early.
“The experience here has been awesome, on a completely other level than I expected,” said sophomore, Owen Szydlowski. “To be honest, I’ve been through a couple of simulators, and it’s nothing like this.”
The program is taught by the Civil Air Patrol. Instructor and Pilot, Kevin Cadeau says its fulfilling to see what comes out of just a week of training.
“The part we probably like the very best is the day they’re flying. To see them come down, all excited and fired up,” said Cadeau. “Some of them say, ‘I want to get my pilot’s license.’ Just to see them having a great time, that’s what puts a smile on our faces.”
With help from a number of local pilots and instructors, all students were given the opportunity for a one-on-one flight around Houghton — unless there was a news reporter in the back seat.
On Wednesday, I had the chance to fly along with sophomore Jonathan Olson from Chicago, who frequently makes trips to the Keweenaw, and enjoyed the unique perspective of this learning experience.
“I liked being able to look down and see the town from above,” said Olson, “I recognized so many things that I’ve walked through so many times, but I’ve never seen from above. It was a great experience.”
With this training happening in the middle of the week, students will take what they learned today back into the classroom for the rest of the course. Cadeau says that anyone with an interest in aviation should look for an opportunity in the field, even just talking with a local instructor.
“I can promise if you do it, you’ll never forget it,” said Cadeau.
For more information about Michigan Tech’s Summer Youth Programs, visit here.