NC Global TransPark Wraps Up Successful ACE Academy

The North Carolina Global TransPark ACE Academy completed its third week with attendees traveling to some incredible locations to learn more about how aerospace applies to many areas, such as how pilots receive their licenses and the importance of aviation to the Department of Defense.

The ACE Academy group took a tour of the Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, where they got up close to a Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey. After that, they visited the University of Mount Olive Flight School at the Mount Olive Municipal Airport to learn about their aviation program. The week concluded with two days of instruction at Lenoir Community College Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Center, where they participated in various STEM challenges, including drone missions and launching custom-built bottle rockets.

Other locations visited included the Kinston Regional Jetport, where attendees had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the loading of the ANTONOV Airlines An-124 cargo jet and discuss the inner workings of airport operations. They also took a trip to NC State University hosted by the Institute for Transportation Research and Education, where they were able to see new technologies used to conduct transportation and aerospace research. They also had two days of instruction at the Lenoir Community College Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Center with various STEM challenges.

The first week of the North Carolina Global TransPark ACE Academy was also action-packed! Camp attendees learned about potential aviation careers and the history and principles of flight, explored various aircraft types, visited a local airport and aviation industry, and flew drones!

Excellent aerospace and aviation careers abound here in eastern NC, and according to TransPark officials, the ACE Academy showed that. “We are grateful for the wonderful partnerships that made this week happen! Special thanks to presenters Greene County Schools NC, Lenoir County Public Schools CTE, North Carolina Global TransPark, and Lenoir Community College for hosting the event.”