Flight Ready LEVEL GOALS

• Explore professional aviation and aerospace pathways

• Gain exposure to flight training and ground school concepts

• Develop leadership, communication, and decision-making skills

• Build industry connections and mentorship relationships

• Navigate scholarships, certifications, and postsecondary opportunities

• Strengthen technical and STEM competencies

• Create a professional aviation portfolio and pathway plan

EXPLORER LEVEL STRUCTURE

The following {adjective} level structure creates a pathway {preparation and capstone}.

1. Ground School Access & Flight Training Exposure

2. Aviation Organizations & Industry Connections

3. Scholarship & Postsecondary Navigation

4. Career Mentoring & Professional Development

5. Postsecondary & Career Pathways

6. Aviation Networking & Industry Engagement

7. Advanced STEM & Aerospace Application

8. Aviation Leadership Service

9. Flight Ready Aviation Portfolio

SUGGESTED FLIGHT READY YEAR STRUCTURE

FALL — PREPARE

• ground school concepts

• aviation organizations

• mentorship

• pathway planning

WINTER — BUILD

• advanced STEM

• simulators

• leadership development

• scholarship prep

SPRING — CONNECT

• networking

• airport experiences

• internships

• career shadowing

SUMMER — LAUNCH

• aviation camps

• internships

• discovery flights

• advanced training

• scholarship applications

1. GROUND SCHOOL ACCESS & FLIGHT TRAINING EXPOSURE

One of the most exciting and transformational stages of the pathway!

Students begin exploring:

• FAA ground school concepts

• aerodynamics and aircraft systems

• navigation and sectional charts

• weather interpretation

• aviation regulations

• radio communication

• flight planning

• aviation safety

Experiences to Include

• intro ground school resources

• discovery flights

• simulator sessions

• local flight school partnerships

• pilot mentorship opportunities

• cross-country flight planning exercises

Additional Ideas

• FAA written test prep exposure

• aviation logbook introduction

• headset/radio workshops

• aviation checklist procedures

• intro preflight inspections

2. AVIATION ORGANIZATIONS & INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS

Begin to integrate into the larger aviation community!

Learn about:

• EAA

• AOPA

• Women in Aviation International

• OBAP

• Civil Air Patrol

• NBAA

• FAA STEM programs

• local aviation associations

Opportunities

• aviation conferences

• airshows

• networking events

• leadership summits

• aviation volunteer experiences

• airport community events

Begin developing real aviation relationships and industry exposure.

3. SCHOLARSHIP & POSTSECONDARY NAVIGATION

Understanding:

• aviation colleges

• military pathways

• technical schools

• scholarships

• certifications

• career options

Areas We Support

• aviation scholarship databases

• FAFSA and funding guidance

• military aviation pathways

• aviation college exploration

• trade and technical programs

• FAA certification pathways

• dual enrollment options

Additional Resources You May Not Have Considered

Aviation Scholarship Workshops: Students learn essay writing, application strategy, networking etiquette, and interview preparation.

4. CAREER MENTORING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Students benefit enormously from:

• pilot mentors

• aerospace engineers

• airport managers

• military aviators

• ATC professionals

• aviation entrepreneurs

Professional Skills Development

• resume building

• LinkedIn profiles

• interview skills

• aviation professionalism

• networking etiquette

• leadership development

• public speaking

These skills set students apart dramatically!

5. POSTSECONDARY & CAREER PATHWAYS

Students begin identifying possible next steps:

flight training

aviation colleges

military service

aerospace engineering

technical certifications

aviation business pathways

Suggested Exploration Areas

Part 61 vs Part 141 flight schools

aviation maintenance schools

aerospace engineering programs

military ROTC options

drone certification pathways

airport operations careers

AVIATION EXPLORATION SERIES

Description: For Colorado homeschool families interested in aviation, aerospace, and flight. Join us as we explore the many careers, technologies, and history that make aviation possible through immersive, behind-the-scenes learning experiences.

Through real-world learning experiences, students will explore the science of flight, air traffic control, airport operations, military and civilian aviation, aerospace technology, and aviation history. Along the way, they’ll meet aviation professionals, tour facilities not typically open to the public, and gain insight into the many career pathways within the aviation industry.

Field Trips, Locations & Dates:

• USAFA Planetarium (Colorado Springs)

• USAFA Davis Airfield (Colorado Springs)

• Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum (Denver)

• Exploration of Flight (Centennial)

• National Museum of World War II Aviation (Colorado Springs)

• FAA Colorado Springs Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT/TRACON)

• Denver Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON)

• Historic FlyteCo Tower (Former Stapleton Air Traffic Control Tower) (Denver)

• Airport Tours (Denver & Colorado Springs)

• High Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (HAATS) (Eagle) (when available)

This series is in tandem with our Aviation Educational Track.

Join our online Colorado STEM Homeschoolers community as well!

Dates: Throughout the year, timing will vary based on availability for each tour.

*Registration always opens first for Members and then to the public if have spots left.