Aviation learning center at Tulsa's International Airport

You may never have heard about it before, but the Tulsa International Airport has a terrific program to teach young people about aviation careers. It's the Aviation Learning Center, and News on 6

Friday, July 15th 2005, 9:15 am

By: News On 6

You may never have heard about it before, but the Tulsa International Airport has a terrific program to teach young people about aviation careers. It's the Aviation Learning Center, and News on 6 reporter Rick Wells caught up with a group about to take a tour.

Some local kids are about to take a flight on Tulsa Air Express. It's a make believe airline but a real opportunity for them to learn more about careers in aviation. Jeff Pritchett is one of their tour guides. "Who wants to be the pilot?" Rachel McBeath is the other. "You are a gate agent, that's your shirt. Put it on, my flight attendant that's yours."

Everyone gets to role play, passengers, crew and security. Fridayâ€™s group was from Community Action Resource Association, an outreach program of Word of Life Fellowship. Airport Marketing Director Mary Smith says this is fairly typical of the kinds of groups they get in the summer. "This experience is so much fun especially for young people; we don't have to advertise it."

They're trying for a positive aviation experience for the kids. The kids learn about how planes fly, about air traffic control and the mathematics of flying.

Speaking of getting there, there is our make believe flight. Once every one gets aboard there is the greeting from the cockpit. The in-flight movie is about careers in aviation. The tours also include a behind the scenes look at the terminal, baggage handling, and a bus tour of the airport and the airport fire station.

They are booked up most of the time, but if you'd like more information call Tulsa International Airport at 838-5078.