For many students, flying is just something they experience from a passenger seat.
But on Tuesday, a lucky group of Grade 6 students got a closer look at what it takes to become a pilot and some are already setting their sights to the skies.
Austin Fortugno, a student from Meadowlands Public School, says his first time on a plane changed everything.
“A couple years ago, I went on my first airplane, and it’s nothing like I’ve ever done before,” he said.
“It’s an amazing experience and I want to just experience that. But instead of riding in it, I want to be in control.”
Fortugno was one of 250 students who took part in a special event at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, hosted by the Royal Canadian Air Force Foundation.
They received a copy of Aviation Nation, a new book that celebrates Canada’s aviation legacy.
“It was very inspiring, and I really want to be a pilot,” Fortugno said.
Former fighter pilot and Snowbird commander Robert “Scratch” Mitchell says introducing kids to the magic of aviation at a young age can have a lasting impact.
“Going to these core principles about what aviation is about and the magic of aviation, being able to interact with kids one-on-one like we are today, I think it’s really important to get that message out and share the magic,” he said.
Aviation Nation launches on the 101st anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. It’s part of a broader education initiative to bring aviation learning to classrooms across Canada.
“The book is great,” said Jeremy Diamond, CEO of the RCAF Foundation.
“We’re hoping to have and expecting to have it in libraries and elementary schools across Canada come this fall. But it’s complemented by learning tools and education resources that fit right into the Grade 4 to 8 curriculum across the country.”
For teachers, the event helped bring aviation lessons to life.
“In Grade 6, the principles of flight are really interesting. And you tie it in with biodiversity as well,” said Nadira Ramharry, a Grade 6 teacher at Meadowlands Public School. “How animals fly, how planes fly and understanding the principles of air. By Grade 6, these are important and useful.”
Students also appreciated the book’s diverse stories and connections to their own family histories.
“I really liked the inclusivity in it,” said Meadowlands student Dylan Charlebois. “I come from a family, which is definitely deep into the military. My dad was in the Navy, my great-grandfather served in World War Two.”
The RCAF Foundation hopes events like this will help inspire the next generation of pilots, engineers and aerospace professionals, ensuring Canada’s aviation legacy continues to soar.
