PATHFINDER LEVEL GOALS

• Explore a wide range of aviation and aerospace careers

• Understand how airports and aviation systems function

• Develop communication and leadership skills

• Apply engineering and STEM concepts to aviation challenges

• Strengthen critical thinking and situational awareness

• Begin building an aviation portfolio and pathway plan

• Connect with aviation professionals and organizations

This stage builds: confidence, direction, leadership, technical curiosity, industry awareness, pathway readiness, and prepares students for the much more advanced flight ready level in high school.

Pathfinder LEVEL STRUCTURE

The following intermediate level structure creates a pathway foundation.

1. Aviation Career Exploration

2. Airport Operations & Aviation Systems

3. Aviation Communication & Leadership

4. Aerospace Engineering & STEM Application

5. Simulator & Technology Experiences

6. Aviation Community & Leadership

7. Pathfinder Aviation Portfolio

8. Family Pathway Support

SUGGESTED PATHFINDER YEAR STRUCTURE

FALL — EXPLORE

• aviation careers

• airport systems

• aviation communication

• industry guest speakers

WINTER — BUILD

• engineering projects

• simulators

• STEM labs

• aviation technology

SPRING — EXPERIENCE

• airport tours

• ATC experiences

• flight simulations

• aviation leadership events

SUMMER — ADVANCE

• aviation camps

• Civil Air Patrol opportunities (year round)

• drone programs

• advanced simulator training

• aerospace workshops

1. AVIATION CAREER EXPLORATION

Aviation is much bigger than becoming a pilot!

Career Areas to Explore

• Commercial Pilot

• Military Aviation

• Aerospace Engineering

• Air Traffic Control

• Aircraft Maintenance

• Drone Operations

• Airport Management

• Aviation Meteorology

• Aviation Safety

• Airline Operations

• Aerospace Technology

• Space Exploration Careers

Suggested Activities

• Career interview projects

• Pilot Q&A sessions

• Aviation career research presentations

• Industry guest speakers

• Aviation leadership panels

2. AIRPORT OPERATIONS & AVIATION SYSTEMS

This level in the pathway feels truly professional and industry-connected!

Explore:

• How airports operate

• Runway systems

• Airport safety

• Fueling and maintenance

• Airline logistics

• Weather systems

• Emergency response

• Flight planning basics

Real-Life Experiences

True North to incorporate and expand existing partnerships:

• Airport operations tours

• FAA / TRACON exposure

• Fixed-base operator (FBO) visits

• Maintenance hangar tours

• Medevac aviation visits

• Airport fire and rescue demonstrations

3. AVIATION COMMUNICATION & LEADERSHIP

These build confidence, communication skills, and leadership maturity.

Students begin learning:

• aviation phraseology

• radio communication basics

• teamwork under pressure

• situational awareness

• aviation decision-making

• leadership and responsibility

Activities

• Mock ATC communication exercises

• Aviation mission simulations

• Teamwork challenges

• Flight planning scenarios

• Emergency response roleplay

4. AEROSPACE ENGINEERING & STEM APPLICATION

At Pathfinder Level, STEM becomes more applied and aviation-focused.

Topics Introduced":

• Aerodynamics

• Aircraft systems

• Propulsion

• Navigation

• Aerospace design

• Weather science

• Drone technology

• Rocketry

• Aviation physics

Hands-On Engineering Projects

• RC aircraft builds

• Drone operation labs

• Flight simulator scenarios

• Aircraft design competitions

• Engineering design challenges

• Airport design projects

• Navigation mapping activities

5. SIMULATOR & TECHNOLOGY EXPERIENCES

Middle school students LOVE immersive technology.

Suggested Additions

introductory flight simulator training

basic navigation exercises

weather decision-making scenarios

drone flight experiences

aviation mapping software

FlightRadar24 tracking projects

aircraft identification challenges

This creates a much stronger aviation identity and engagement level.

6. AVIATION COMMUNITY & LEADERSHIP

Pathfinder students should begin developing: ownership and leadership within the aviation community.

Create Opportunities For:

• student aviation ambassadors

• aviation clubs

• peer mentorship

• aviation challenge teams

• STEM competitions

• leadership roles during events

Consider True North Future Aviators Club with:

• pathway badges

• aviation passport tracking

• leadership recognition

• milestone achievements

7. PATHFINDER AVIATION PORTFOLIO

Students begin documenting:

• Field experiences

• STEM projects

• Aviation reflections

• Simulator hours

• Leadership experiences

• Volunteer/service activities

• Aviation career interests

8. FAMILY PATHWAY SUPPORT

Most families still need guidance navigating:

• Aviation opportunities

• Flight training readiness

• Scholarships

• Organizations

• Aviation high school planning

• Dual enrollment pathways

Consider Adding: Pathfinder Parent Navigation Guides

Topics:

• aviation organizations

• STEM competitions

• scholarships

• FAA pathways

• flight school overview

• Civil Air Patrol information

• aviation camps and summer opportunities

RESOURCES TO ADD

Aviation Organizations

• EAA Young Eagles

• AOPA You Can Fly

• AeroEducate

• Civil Air Patrol

• NASA STEM

• FAA STEM Resources

• Women in Aviation International

• Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP)

ADDITIONS YOU MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT OF YET

Flight Simulation Lab

• Simulator days

• Navigation competitions

• Cross-country planning activities

• Weather challenge missions

Aviation Photography & Media

Introduces aviation storytelling and media careers:

• photograph aircraft

• create aviation blogs

• produce aviation videos

• interview aviation professionals

Drone & Emerging Aviation Technologies

Introduce:

• drone safety

• aerial imaging

• autonomous flight systems

• advanced air mobility

• future aerospace technologies

Aviation Entrepreneurship

This introduces innovation and business thinking:

• design airlines

• create airport concepts

• build aviation businesses

• solve aviation logistics problems

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.