July 12, 2016
Media Advisory – NASA Wings Aviation Camp
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the annual NASA Wings Aviation Camp at Southern Illinois University’s Transportation Education Center at the Southern Illinois Airport.
The camp began Monday and runs through Friday, July 15. James Milller, deputy director of policy and strategic communications with NASA’s Space Communication and Navigation Program, which provides primary program funding, will meet with campers at 3 p.m., Wednesday, July 13. He also is expected to be on hand during camp graduation ceremonies on Friday, set for 11 a.m. in Room 182 of the Transportation Education Center. Miller is also an alumnus of the SIU aviation program. Instructors and campers will be available to discuss the benefits they are receiving from the camp.
This is the seventh year for the camp. Eight high school students from Southern Illinois, the Chicago area and Wisconsin are attending this year.
During the week, students are involved in classes where they learn more about careers in aviation and the aerospace industry by receiving ground school and flight training classes. This is also an opportunity for students to learn more about space communications and aviation navigation systems. Students spend time in flight simulators and also fly in aircraft, weather permitting. The training is similar to what SIU Carbondale flight students receive.
For more information, contact Lorelei Ruiz at 618/453-9265 or by email at lruiz@aviation.siu.edu or the Aviation Flight Weather/ Dispatch, located inside the Transportation Education Center.