The Idaho Division of Aeronautics held their annual ACE (Aviation Career Education) Academy June 26-28, presenting aviation career options to 32 Idaho high schoolers from around the state.
“After months of planning and coordinating, the ACE Academy was a great success!” said coordinator Shelly Towner. “The teamwork was one of the best I have experienced – it all worked like a well-oiled machine.”
Participants were able to visit the Boise Air Traffic Control Tower, utilize Mission Aviation Fellowship’s flight simulator, and tour the Boise Airport where the biggest draw was seeing the bomb-detecting dog in action. Students toured the TSA baggage area, and viewed the ongoing expansion project from the top of the parking garage.
Students also visited the Idaho National Guard to learn about aviation career fields in Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing aircraft. They visited Skywest to explore airline careers, and Western Aircraft to explore turbo-prop and business jet aviation. The National Weather Service covered aviation weather services, and at the National Interagency Fire Center the kids saw how smokejumpers, drones and aircraft are used to fight fires. The Idaho 99s taught a mini-ground school, T-Craft Aero Club discussed opportunities to train in a flying club, and our 12 volunteer pilots took the kids flying.
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