An inclination for aviation: Students learn to fly with real airplane pilot
Two boys showed their aptitude for altitude inside the Emily Warner Field Aviation Museum on Friday.
“Do you want to be a pilot more or less now?” asked commercial airline pilot Aaron Skinner, as the boys took turns on the museum’s flight simulator.
“Way more,” Elijah Boomer replied.
At the museum, Elijah and his friend, Alex Riesberg, were engaged, attentive and all about airplanes while Skinner gave them hands-on instruction for Fly with an Airline Pilot Day, a three-hour event for children of all ages.
The boys quickly learned flying is easier than landing, and they did a couple “land Sullies” before the day was over, a reference to Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s successful landing of a commercial jet in the Hudson River in 2009.
Skinner volunteered his time for the event, and he served as an instructor, educator and co-pilot while children piloted different kinds of planes on the flight simulator.
Working with Elijah and Alex, Skinner and the boys all seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience.
The museum’s flight simulators were donated by the Fantasy of Flight Foundation. The museum is inside the former Rocky Mountain Airways airline terminal at the Grand County Airport.
For more about the museums of the Grand County Historical Association, go to GrandCountyHistory.org.
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
The Sky-Hi News strives to deliver powerful stories that spark emotion and focus on the place we live.
Over the past year, contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting, including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire.
If you value local journalism, consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do.
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.
User Legend: Moderator
Trusted User
Changing Gore Range, named for man who slaughtered Colorado wildlife, hits stiff opposition in Grand
A Grand County commissioner on Tuesday condemned a proposal to change the name of the Gore Range.