Young eyes were fixated on a virtual sky recently when Corinda State High School students got a taste of military aviation,‘flying’ the F/A-18 Simulator.
Dabbling in areas such as flying and navigating a Super Hornet, communicating with air traffic control and just enjoying a virtual reality experience, the Engineering and Technology students transferred classroom knowledge into real world scenarios.
Wing Commander Mark Broadbridge, Officer in Charge of the Aviation Candidate Management Centre said the experience was a great way for students to learn about aviation careers within the RAAF without the pressurised environment of a recruitment session.
“We don’t come to schools to push the Air Force as a job, it’s more about educating school children about jobs in aviation,” he said.
“The kids love to get in the simulator and hands on experience, they love to sit in the cockpit and manoeuvre the aircraft around. Most of them step out with big smiles on their faces – they’ve landed the aircraft, they’ve taken it off and yes, there’s the odd crash but they all enjoy themselves.”
Engineering and technology teacher Stephen Thrum said his students were currently learning about wing structures in class, which is relevant to the activities led by the RAAF.
“It gives real world perspective for the students, to see real world applications for the things they study in class; it gives them extension beyond it and it gives them career guidance on pathways they can take,” Mr Thrum said.
“The students are currently working on wing structures and engineering data and stuff so this gives them the experience to see how wings actually work and what you need them for.”
While many students had a laugh trying on aircrew life support gear or ‘crashing’ the simulator, most agreed that it opened their eyes to a different career path.
Year 11 student Tara Steenstrup said her parents encouraged her to consider a commercial aviation career post school, but she hadn’t considered a career in the RAAF.
“My family has been trying to get me into flying, and this stuff we’re learning today is about the military side of aviation, I thought it would be interesting to learn about the different side of flying,” Tara said.
“After a period of training, yes I think I could definitely be an Air Force pilot.”
The Simulator Experience has visitedschools in the South East Queensland region engaged in the Aerospace Gateways Program.
Schools interested in offering this experience for their students can call (03) 5146 6054 or email [email protected].