FlyQuest Flight Simulator Gives Students Real-life Experiences

November 28, 2014 Huntsville, Ala.

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FlyQuest, a non-profit organization co-located at Huntsville International Airport, has installed the first flight simulator in North Alabama to feature 6 Degrees of Freedom, which enhances the group’s education program for young people interested in pursuing aerospace education and aviation careers.

The DCX MAX FM simulator, a newly developed and highly versatile Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD), can be easily configured for 25 single engine and 10 multi-engine aircraft. The system includes a full metal cockpit enclosure, dynamic control loading, modern avionics, 225 degree visual system is the world’s first simulator to marry the DCX MAX with a 6 Degrees of Freedom platform.

FlyQuest’s primary use of the aircraft simulator is to teach its students in a safe environment while providing cost-effective, realistic flight training. The organization conducts programs for schools, including home school students, and other youth-based organizations, on topics such as aerodynamics, aircraft systems, weather, and aircrew disciplines. One unique approach is offering scholarships, which require the students to exchange community service of their choice for aviation coursework or flight experience.

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"The primary benefits of the simulator for our students is to enable them to practice aircraft scenarios and emergency procedures in a safe environment,” notes Mark Spencer, founder and FlyQuest board chair. “It’s about training them to make informed decisions.” Flight time in aircraft is also an expensive venture, so the simulator adds value to the under-served student population, who might not otherwise have an opportunity to study flight training before making a decision to pursue an aviation career.

FlyQuest will conduct its second ground school program for Butler High School JROTC cadets next year and just completed a similar course for a group ten home school students in Huntsville. The organization has also established links with several community organizations, including conducting flight and aviation educational programs for the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.

Their Aviation Fundamentals Program enables students to understand the wide variety of aviation opportunities by providing insights into pilot, maintenance, air traffic control and airport operations careers. “Our ultimate goal is for students to identify early on an aviation field that they would like to pursue, either as a career or a recreational hobby. This allows them to better understand what is required for a given field and take actions to pursue the necessary science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills to achieve their desires,” notes Russell Lewey, FlyQuest’s Educational Director.

The simulator is also available for hourly rental by pilots, who can perform a substantial amount of their required and optional training hours for certification without leaving the ground. FlyQuest will offer simulator rental discounts to individuals who become supporters of the non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Donations to FlyQuest also help fund scholarships for deserving students. More information can be found at www.FlyQuest.net

Home School Students Learn Aviation Fundamentals

November 11, 2014 Huntsville, Al.

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Ten home school high school students recently completed a unique aerospace education program developed by FlyQuest, a non-profit Huntsville organization whose goal is to provide opportunities for young people to pursue aviation careers and experience the joys of flight.
The unique five-day program, Aviation Fundamentals, provided the students with first-hand exposure to aerodynamic principles and aircraft components, as well as what is required to pursue one of four aviation career fields: pilot, aircraft maintenance, air traffic control and air operations. One of the highlights of the class was the opportunity to fly in the state-of-the-art, six-degree motion flight simulator recently procured by FlyQuest.

In addition to exposing the students to various aviation opportunities, FlyQuest is seeking students who have the “right stuff” to move to the next level in more area specific activities, such as ground school and pilot soloing or enhanced training and internships in maintenance, air traffic control or airport operations. From this inaugural home school program, senior Brandon Schrader, was identified and, through donations to FlyQuest, he was awarded a scholarship to pursue private pilot ground school training in January at the University of Alabama Huntsville. This scholarship was made possible by a donation from Paul Robichaux in memory of his son, David.

FlyQuest has also completed aviation education programs at Butler High School and for the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama since incorporating in 2013. Operations are made possible through tax-deductible donations to the 501(c)(3) program at www.FlyQuest.net. For more information on aviation education or rental of Alabama’s only 6DOF flight simulator, call 256-400-1088 or e-mail info@flyquest.net.

AL.com: Butler AFJROTC cadets get introduced to aviation careers

Posted May 01, 2014 Huntsville, Ala. by Amethyst Holmes

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Capt. Chris Scott, with Huntsville International Airport's Public Safety Dept., makes Devancy Jefferson, from Butler, an honorary captain after he got into his turn-out gear during a tour of facilities and aircraft at Huntsville International Airport Friday, April 25, 2014 in Huntsville, Ala. The tour is part of an educational program to give students a chance the see career opportunities in aviation, ranging from 747 pilot to fire and public safety. (Eric Schultz / eschultz@al.com)

(AOL.com) – Butler High School AFJROTC cadets got a closer look at the world of aviation on a school field trip last Friday.

Cadets got to tour the Alabama Aviation Center at Calhoun Community College, the Huntsville International Airport, FAA facilities, a 747 aircraft and operate a flight simulator at the Wings of Eagles flight school through a program sponsored by FlyQuest, a non-profit corporation focused on aviation education.

FlyQuest Co-founder Mark Spencer knows airplane training can be expensive, but wants to get as many people involved in aviation as possible and get students thinking about careers surrounding aviation. The organization provides a 14-week school course where students learn aviation fundamentals and get introduced to aviation careers in public safety, aircraft mechanics and more.

"Even if someone dosen't want to be a pilot but they have good customer service kinds of skills or they have good math skills, we want to find the kids that have that aptitude and give them the opportunity to be able to have a career in aviation to help pave that path regardless of their economic background," Spencer said.

With the hands-on opportunities the course provides, AFJROTC Instructor Melissa Lacey gets to see her students more engaged with what they're learning in the classroom.

“Freshman Javier Garcia says he now has dreams of becoming a pilot after discovering the course on a whim. Junior Brandon Crutcher wants pursue a career aerospace engineering following his time in the class. Most of the students within the program have never taken a flight or been inside of an airplane before the course.

"It's making a difference," Lacey said. "It does motivate some students to go back and talk about it. When they go back and tell their friends what they've done, all of them want to be in ROTC." Russ Lewey, ground school instructor for the course, said all students have averaged at least four hours of community service a month in exchange for the chance to get to learn about flying.

The course comes at no cost to students, but they pay for the instruction with their time. "We want to know they feel invested that they're going to complete what they're doing," Spencer said. At the end of the course, students will get an opportunity to fly in an airplane at the Redstone Arsenal Flying Activity Open House on May 17.