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Williams Middle School students take flight this weekend
Flight Camp at Williams Elementary-Middle School to feature flight simulators Friday and Saturday

Williams Middle School students try their hands at flying using a First Flight Education simulator during a science and technology night in October. Clara Beard/WGCN

Williams Middle School students try their hands at flying using a First Flight Education simulator during a science and technology night in October. Clara Beard/WGCN

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Williams Middle School students have the opportunity to learn all aspects of flying an airplane this weekend - from taking off, landing, navigating, creating a flight plan and communicating with Air Traffic Control.

First Flight Education and Arizona Parents Commission Grant present Flight Camp this Friday and Saturday for Williams Elementary-Middle School (WEMS) students in grades 6-8.

The two-hour experience takes place in the WEMS gymnasium from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students can register for Flight Camp with WEMS science teacher Daniel Nelson. Each day will include four sessions. Students can sign up for an 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m., or 2:30 p.m. time slot.

Students will work together in teams of eight using state-of-the-art flight simulators.

Sandy Roe, project director for Arizona Parents Commission Grant and family/community outreach coordinator for Williams Unified School District (WUSD), said Arizona Parents Commission Grant staff likes to get youth and parents involved in different educational opportunities.

"We're trying to promote more science, technology, engineering and math, which is STEM education," said Roe. "We had a STEM night last year where the parents came out and were able to look at these flight simulators and get a little idea of what the flight camp was going to be about."

Eric Savage, one of the founders of First Flight Education, will be on-site with his staff to set up the simulators and offer help when needed. Nelson will be there as well. Students will use the simulators to learn to fly a Cessna 172.

According to Roe, each student will play a vital role in the flight process, from pilot to co-pilot to navigator to Air Traffic Controller and more.

"They're [students] going to do everything, the flight plan, communicating with Air Traffic Control, flying the plane, taking off, landing, and navigating," Roe said. "They have to figure all this out with the help of leaders."

Roe said the school district has already mailed more detailed flyers home to parents. Students will receive extra credit for participating. Arizona Parents Commission Grant paid for the WEMS Flight Camp.

First Flight Education is committed to building high quality academic enrichment opportunities for children and family members. It does this by offering academic enrichment programs for students.

More information is available online at www.firstflighteducation.com. A First Flight video is available on the website as well.


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