Preparations under way for Aviation Day
Published 10:04 pm Thursday, November 1, 2012
On Saturday, Nov. 10, Wallace Community College will host an aviation day, the first one ever for Selma and Dallas County.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Black Pilots of America will host aviation related activities at the Craig Field Airport.
Dr. Millicent Woods, dean of development and innovative initiatives, said she is expecting 10 to 15 planes to be exhibited during the day.
“We’ll have a lot of interactive activities for the kids,” Woods said of the day, which has no admission cost. “They’ll have an opportunity to engage with the pilots and actually have a pre-flight check where they can actually get in the planes and adjust the gages.”
Woods said there will also be simulated activities, similar to playing a video game, where children can experience what it’s like to fly a plane.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for all the kids and the community to actually learn a little bit more about aviation and have an opportunity to talk to individuals who have been in the field,” Woods said.
Pilots will also be available throughout the day to interact with children.
Through hosting the aviation day, Woods said she hopes more youth become interested in aviation.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for kids to learn more about the field. And [attendees] will definitely gain insight as to what aviation is all about and avenues they could possible take,” she said.
In an effort to provide more career opportunities, Woods said Wallace is currently exploring possible aviation programs because of the valuable opportunity Craig Airport offers.
“It’s a win-win for the community as well as for the students who can pursue avenues in aviation,” she said. “It’s going to be a fun day but it’s actually going to be a good day of learning for students too.”