EAA Chapter 1496 Kissimmee Florida

The EAA Chapter 1496 Leadership team met with Dr. Greco, Superintendent of the Osceola  County School System to discuss a potential symbiotic relationship between the airport, Osceola County Schools, EAA Chapter 1496 and other airport businesses. 

Our discussions centered around the thought of how we, the airport and the school system can develop a symbiotic relationship which would benefit everyone involved. There is great potential for a fantastic aviation-related studies program within the school system using Osceola High School as a "test" school given their proximity to the airport. 

As our meeting progressed we touched on several paramount items for consideration. 

They are:

Making ourselves known to math and science teachers and inviting them to fly with us over a few Saturday mornings - perhaps lunch in Ocala, etc.

Introducing same to the control tower, airport management, etc.

Providing expertise and hands-on training to math and science teachers along with motivation to get kids excited about aviation-related careers.

Assist with the creation of an "aviation" or "flying" club within OHS and inviting them to one of our EAA Young Eagles events. (www.youngeagles.org)

Develop a mentor-mentoree relationship with the top students from each math or science-related class and provide guidance, hands-on experience and one-on-one training

Invite students to our monthly EAA chapter meetings at Kissimmee Airport so that they can gain "touchy-feely" experience with aircraft on display and learn from others

Develop and host an eight-week "Kissimmee Youth Aviation Center" class in which each Saturday 10am-12pm whereas students learn hands-on in subjects such as weather/meteorology, flight planning, pilotage, aerodynamics, weight and balance computations, aircraft performance calculations, navigation, aircraft safety, aircraft building and construction with the last day a 1-hour graduation flight whereas they get to take the controls.

It was decided that our EAA chapter will assist with the recruiting and creation of an Advisory Board which would work closely with the school system to get their aviation sciences off to a great start.