ICON A5 Visits McSwain Elementary

The ICON A5 Introduction to Flight Team was on the road once again in Staunton, Va. As part of three scheduled visits to Staunton city elementary schools, the team traveled to McSwain Elementary to speak with three classes of fifth grade students.

The DOAV public relations and education team of Betty Wilson, David Halstead, Tony Sotelo and Kim Anderson talked with 56 students and five staff about the ICON A5 and taught them about aviation and the forces of flight. The hands-on experience inside the aircraft directly tied in with the curriculum the students are currently learning about force, motion, energy and gravity.

“The students loved the entire experience,” McSwain Elementary teacher Kelsi Weaver said. “They were intrigued from the moment we told them about the plane. As soon as we saw it, I could hear my class immediately asking questions about it. They were so enthralled about being able to get into the aircraft and handling the controls, like real pilots!”

Following their time in the aircraft, the students were able to construct a wooden balsa airplane and fly them in front of the school. Students took the airplanes with them and continued to learn in class about force and motion. The staff from McSwain Elementary praised the ICON A5 Introduction to Flight team and their ability to excite and educate the students about aviation careers.

“I would absolutely recommend this experience to other schools and organizations,” Weaver said. “It was very informative, extremely organized, and the students were engaged the entire time. We even had a few students talking about working with planes in their future!”

The ICON A5 is an amphibious light sport aircraft that the DOAV PR and Education Team take across the Commonwealth of Virginia to educate youth about aviation. For more information on how to get this free program to your school or local airport, email Betty Wilson.