STISD Students and Staff Learn to Fly

Special to Los Fresnos News

MERCEDES – Twenty-two South Texas Independent School District (STISD) students and three faculty and staff members will learn to fly this summer as part of the 2017 Aviation Summer Camp.

For the third year, STISD is partnering with Sun Valley Aviation, Inc. in Harlingen to host a unique learning experience for current students and staff members interested in learning more about flight.

During the week-long session – June 5-9 – participants will hear from a number of experts on various topics related to aviation and will even have the chance to experience flight ‘up close and personal’ through three adventure airplane flights in general aviation (private planes).

Lecture topics will include aircraft components and function; radio communication; stress and decision-making; leadership; meteorology; safety; navigation, and more.

All classes will be held at the Rising Scholars Academy of South Texas (Rising Scholars) campus in San Benito, located at 151 S. Helen Moore Rd. Flights will depart from the Sun Valley Aviation FBO (fixed base operator), located on the east side of the Valley International Airport in Harlingen.

Camp participants will attend classes from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day, and will go on adventure flights in the afternoons. Depending upon flight schedules, each day may wrap up around 3:30 p.m. or closer to 6:00 p.m.

A new addition to the agenda this year, students will collaborate with the pilots on Friday on cross-country flight planning in the hangar.

STISD is an open-enrollment magnet school district with a focus on college and career preparation for all students. STISD serves students from Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties. For additional information, call (956) 565-2454 or visit www.stisd.net.