Students at Fontana’s Alder Middle School had an opportunity to explore the world of aviation when NextUp Aviation brought a mobile 36-foot flight simulator lab to campus.
The Nov. 21 event, part of the Fontana Unified School District’s Career Technical Education partnership with NextUp Aviation, was designed to help students explore and foster an early interest in career pathways in the aviation and aerospace industry.
During the event, students engaged with flight simulators, interactive booths and industry leaders from UPS, FedEx and American Airlines, highlighting career pathways in piloting, drone operation, air traffic control, mechanics and more.
NextUp Aviation works to prepare students from all backgrounds for careers in aviation by offering education and training across a variety of fields.
One of the students who tried out the cockpit simulator was sixth-grader Xavi Hernandez, who said he is considering a career as a pilot, according to a news release.
“It was awesome, really cool and fun to experience,” Xavi said about his experience with the cockpit simulator, according to the news release. “I liked just flying over the city, I was just taking it all in.”
“We want to ignite our students’ motivation early and give them a head start in shaping their professional lives,” Jeannifer Heredia, Fontana Unified School District’s Career Technical Education lead liaison, said in the news release. “By introducing them to various career opportunities and equipping them with the right tools, we’re empowering them to aim high and make those dreams a reality.”
The Fontana district’s partnership with NextUp Aviation will include a similar event at Wayne Ruble Middle School this school year.
Students interested in pursuing aviation further have a next step waiting for them in high school, as Alder, Almeria and Wayne Ruble middle schools feed into Fontana’s A.B. Miller High School, which offers a two-year aviation career technical education pathway that serves as a flight training school and includes a pilot training class, an airline mechanic class and a flight simulator lab.