4th Annual Kid’s Day at Calhoun County Airport

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Posted by Joyce Rhyne on 10 May 12 - 0 Comments

Chief Flight Instructor-Rotocraft, Toni McCarthy, explains to the students how the flight controls affect the helicopter blades.

Port Lavaca, TX — Calhoun County Airport hosted its annual Kid’s Aviation Day on Friday, May 7th. Over 315 students from Travis Middle School and Seadrift School visited the fixed base operator (FBO) ready to learn about the aerospace community and differences between various planes.

“This year we were able to give the children of Calhoun County the most comprehensive aviation experience yet; we had more volunteers at more stations than any year prior.” said FBO manager, Steve Plunkett. “I cannot express my thanks enough to everyone who came out and supported this fantastic event.”

The students rotated around sixteen different stations: the National Weather Service, Cessna 172, Cessna 182, Calhoun Air Center flight instructor, Hawker-Beechcraft Premier Jet, Robinson R44, Maule MX-7-180, Air Tractor, Civil Air Patrol, Precinct 2 Commissioner, PHI Air Medical Helicopter, Mid-Coast R/C Flyers, Experimental Helicopter, Flight Simulator, U.S. Coast Guard, Sailplane and Port Lavaca Fire Department.

“The kids really enjoyed themselves,” Travis Middle School teacher, Chris Scroggs commented. “They learned about the wonderful world of aviation. We appreciate Calhoun Air Center’s hard work in putting together such a wonderful event.”

The day is made possible by a group of pilots that are eager to share their passion for flying and their knowledge with the students. The students were able to sit in the aircraft and learn first hand about the principles of flight and aircraft operations.

“We really enjoyed having the opportunity to interact with the Calhoun students. They were very excited and enthusiastic about the R44 helicopter. It was fun watching them get in the helicopter, try on headsets and pretend to fly — definitely have some young aviators in the making,” said Chief Flight Instructor-Rotocraft, Toni McCarthy.

In addition, the students received a take home bag which contained various pilot magazines, pens, pencils, rulers, bookmarks, posters, interactive cds and more. Thank you to all of the sponsors: Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Whirly Girls, Women Of Aviation Worldwide (WOAW), Inteplast, FlightSafety, Jeppessen and Hawker-Beechcraft.

This marks the fourth year which Calhoun Air Center has coordinated the field trip introducing over 1,250 students to the careers in aviation available to them. To view more photos go to www.calhounaircenter.com.

The girls from Travis Middle School, excited to sit in the Robinson R44 and wear the headsets.

To schedule an interview or for more information about this event please contact, Jasmine Gordon at 361-746-8846 or via email at jasmine@calhounaircenter.com.

Calhoun Air Center is dedicated to make your flight experience an enjoyable one. The staff is devoted to assist pilots with accommodations, transportation or repair services. Calhoun Air Center soars above and beyond hospitality with the recent completion of T-hangars; private hangars are available as well community space for an overnight or extended stay. There are two flight school locations which you may train in state-of-the-art Cessna aircraft, Calhoun County Airport (KPKV) or Victoria Regional Airport (KVCT). Calhoun Air Center strives to be a mecca in the aviation community. The airport promotes aviation education to youth with various events throughout the year and works diligently to make a difference in the community. Their efforts show as the airport has been voted Most Improved Airport of the Year by Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division in 2009, Business of the Year; Level 1 by the Port Lavaca Chamber of Commerce in 2010, earned a Women of Aviation Worldwide Certified Women Friendly Flight Training Facility seal to by Women of Aviation Worldwide in 2011 and Most Female-Pilot-Friendly Airport in the World – 2nd Runner Up by Women of Aviation Worldwide in 2011.

Dillon Krapes brought a sailplane from Refugio. It was a great addition!

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