Events/News

Flight Path supports Wings of Mercy Care Affair

The Flight Path team is proud to support the 2023 Care Affair at the West Michigan Regional Airport in the Fogg hangar.  The event is sponsored by Wings of Mercy and featured a fund raising pancake breakfast and 5K runway run.  The event fittingly coincided with the celebration of National Aviation Day.  The weather was fantastic and many pilots flew in for pancakes and sausage, while mingling with local visitors and runners.  EAA Young Eagles pilots were also on hand to give airplane rides to many eager potential pilots.  Flight Path opened its facility in the Fogg hangar and was able to get many young people flying on the flight simulators used for our FLIGHT NIGHT program.  If you missed this event, register your middle or high school student for a FLIGHT NIGHT.  Check out the program details on the FLIGHT NIGHT page.

 

CLICK HERE for a link to Zara and Mack Rutherford talking about their solo flights around the world.

                                                                            Airline Pilot Career Guide

Are you thinking about being a pilot for an Airline?  There are hundreds of openings for pilots right now.  There will be even more in the future.  If you would like to know more about how to become an Airline Pilot.  Check out this handy guide outlining current training programs and opportunities.  CLICK HERE FOR THE GUIDE.

 

Scouts Earn Aviation Merit Badge

Eleven Scouts from Troop 33 from Hamilton came to a special FLIGHT NIGHT to earn their Aviation Merit Badge.  The Scouts attended presentations on the history of aviation, the aerodynamics of airplane flight, and how to fly an airplane.  Another requirement of the badge is navigating a trip from one airport to another.  The Scouts planed a trip from Grand Haven to Muskegon with a heavy crosswind.  Their objective was to determine the proper heading while accounting for the wind.  After using a Flight Computer (actually a non-electronic slide rule device) to determine their course and timing, the Scouts flew the course on the RedBird and X-Plane flight simulators.  All Scouts succeeded in arriving at the Muskegon airport without being blown off course!  After more flying on the simulators, Scouts toured the airport hangars and sat in the cockpits of the flight school Cessna airplanes.  Finally at the end of the session, each Scout had constructed an “airplane” from styrafoam plates and a contest was held to see which plane could fly the furthest.  Congratulations to the Scouts of Troop 33 for earning their Aviation Merit Badge at FLIGHT NIGHT.

 

SCOUTING THE SKIES OVER CAMP GERBER

The seventh annual Outing for Scouting is a weekend at the Camp Gerber Scout camp, and it’s open to all troops in the Michigan Crossroads Council.  Scouts arrived Friday evening and set up camp, making their own dinners, and then breakfast on Saturday. Opening flag ceremonies began at 8:30 AM and then the event got underway. Scouts chose from 25 different activities to experience.  At this campout the scouts build camp, meet other scouts and are introduced to many different types of activities.  The theme this year was STEMpunk, with many of the activities being STEM-based.  Flight Path was invited to the Outing to tell scouts about aviation and give 6th through 12th grade scouts the opportunity to fly two of our X-Plane Flight Simulators. The flight simulators were a big hit!  Of the 375 young people attending the Outing, 90 scouts flew the simulators. Everyone who flew had fun and learned a lot about flying and being a pilot. In the past Flight Path has offered a special Aviation Merit Badge program at our facility at the West Michigan Regional Airport in Holland, MI.  If your troop is interested in setting up a program, please contact us at [email protected].

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AND SEE MORE PHOTOS

FLIGHT NIGHT is adding a FULL MOTION Simulator!

Flight Path is finishing up construction of our fourth FLIGHT NIGHT flight simulator. This one is a full motion simulator and will be used with a large monitor screen and virtual reality goggles. The video is our president Jeff Vos doing a test flight with just the seat on the full motion platform! Hang on Jeff!! If you are a middle or high school student, check out our FLIGHT NIGHT program at the West Michigan Regional Airport.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Flight Path NEW LOCATION

Praise for FLIGHT NIGHT

Parents and guardians are positive on FLIGHT NIGHT!  Try it…you’ll LIKE IT!

Blackhawks visit Flight Night!

May 31 Flight Night students were treated to the arrival and departure of three MI Air National Guard Blackhawk helicopters on maneuvers. You NEVER KNOW what you will see at a Flight Night!

Fly in and see the TULIPS – MAY 14 at West MI Regional Airport

Recent FLIGHT NIGHT photos – It’s FUN!

Go to the Aviation Links page for more info on scholarships and careers

Aviation scholarships, from $2,500 to $14,000, are available from the AOPA Foundation—another great AOPA membership benefit! If you, or anyone you know, are looking to earn your private pilot certificate, an advanced rating, or a new aviation career opportunity, learn more about our available scholarships!            The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, February 11, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EST
The AOPA Foundation also designated 80 merit-based flight training scholarships at $10,000 each for high school students to earn their private pilot certificate.
Learn more about the many different aviation scholarships offered through the AOPA Foundation. Scholarships are available in multiple categories, ranging from $2,500 to $14,000, including:

  • Sport, recreational, and private pilot flight training
  • Instrument rating
  • CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) rating
  • CFII (Certificated Flight Instructor-Instrument) rating
  • MEI (Multi-Engine-Instructor) rating
  • Aviation maintenance technician certification

Learn more or forward this email to someone who would benefit from financial assistance to pursue their aviation goals.
The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, February 11, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. EST

 

 

 

It is through the generosity of donors like you that Flight Path is able to provide local youth with experiences in aviation and encourage future career possibilities.

We hope you’ll consider us this upcoming Giving Tuesday.

DESIGN your own AIRPORT with the FAA!

The FAA offers a free Airport Design Challenge for students with a seven-week interactive, learning and collaboration opportunity starting November 15, 2021 and running through January 14, 2022. The FAA Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Aviation and Space Education (AVSED) Program is organizing and sponsoring this exciting student challenge.  Check it out at https://www.faa.gov/education/virtual_learning/airport_design/  

Emerson flies the Flight Path simulator

Flight Path was on hand at the Emerson the Brave event at MEYR in Holland Saturday for the Family Fun event.  Emerson came to our booth and tried her hand at flying the RedBird Flight Simulator.  She “flew” from the old Park Township airport to West Michigan Regional airport and landed safely!  Flight Path was pleased to be a part of the Chad Tough and Emerson the Great event.

The ultimate FLIGHT NIGHT hangar…

Someday in the future… we hope to have our own hangar.  A 2400 sqft facility would include classrooms, simulators, an airplane, workbenches for STEM projects and aircraft components.  The possibility exists for model and full size airplane construction projects.  The facility would also enable hosting events for local aviation professionals, students, parents, and benefactors.  Flight Path believes in bringing aviation to young people and with a dedicated facility located at the airport, anything is possible!

If you attend a FLIGHT NIGHT and LIKED IT….BUY a SHIRT!

FLIGHT NIGHT program REVEALED!

Check out this new video produced by the West Michigan Airport Authority.  Anderson Bloemers and Flight Path President Jeff Vos explain the FLIGHT NIGHT program and the benefits of being at the West MI Regional Airport.  Thank you to Aaron Thelenwood at WMAA for his support of Flight Path and our FLIGHT NIGHT program.

CLICK>> Anderson and Jeff talk about FLIGHT NIGHT

 

 

 

 

Please stop and see Flight Path at the Emerson the Brave Family Fun Day 9/18

 
Flight Path will have the Redbird Flight Simulator and booth at the 4th annual Emerson the Brave Family Fun day at the M.E. Yacht Restoration building at 471 Howard Ave, in Holland. Fun from 8am until 2 pm. If you are a middle or high school student, stop by the Flight Path booth and sign up to fly the Flight Simulator. Buy a T shirt and help support Flight Path.
Check https://facebook.com/events/s/4th-annual-emerson-the-brave-f/868759887354433/ and https://www.emersonthebrave.com/family-fun-day for more event information. Hope to see you there!

 

Wings of Mercy visitors FLY the SIMULATOR

Last Saturday Wings of Mercy hosted a charity breakfast and 5K run at the West Michigan Regional Airport.  The Flight Path crew booth was stationed in the hangar and had the Redbird Flight Simulator ready for visitors to fly.  Based on the young people that flew the simulator we have a good crop of potential future pilots “in the wings”.  Thank you to all that visited and bought one of our Flight Path shirts.  See you at our next event!

FLY THE FLIGHT PATH FLIGHT SIMULATOR

If you are going to the Wings of Mercy CareAffaire this Saturday Sept 11 at the West Michigan Regional Airport, stop by the Flight Path booth and sign up your middle or high schooler to fly the Redbird Flight Simulator. We hope to see you there to support this important cause.

Please come to the Wings of Mercy event at the WM Regional Airport Sat. Sept 11

Holland Events Set for September 11 – Wings of Mercy

Wings of Mercy would like to invite you to make a day of solemn remembrances one filled with hope by joining us for the Holland Care Affaire and West Michigan Runway 5K at the West Michigan Regional Airport on Saturday, September 11, 2021.

This unique event is a community celebration of the good we can do together by giving wings to those in need. You can register for the West Michigan Runway 5K with this link (click here).

The registration fee includes a premium t-shirt and a pancake breakfast at the Holland Care Affaire.

In addition, we are again partnering with the EAA Young Eagles to offer free airplane rides for kids 8 to 17.

A parent must be present to give consent.

Same-Day registration for the 5K starts at 8AM

The Run and Pancake Breakfast start at 9AM

Young Eagles registration starts at 9AM

Breakfast will be served until Noon.

Be sure to stop by the Flight Path booth in the hangar and say HELLO!

 

 

Salvation Army Day Camp Kids visit the Flight Path group at the West Michigan Regional Airport

Aviation is full of rich history and exciting technology. It opens up a world of wonder and exhilaration, especially for young people.  It’s a world that all kids should have the opportunity to explore.  The Flight Path group  in Holland MI helps to provide that opportunity.  Flight Path is a non-profit organization made up of pilots and aviation enthusiasts.  They invite students to the West Michigan Regional airport to get an inside look at what it’s like to be a pilot or mechanic or flight line worker.  That glimpse became a reality for the 20+ Holland/Zeeland Salvation Army Day Camp youth this summer; an opportunity that made a lasting impression on them!

For most of these campers, ages 5-14,  it was the first time they had ever been up close and personal with  aircraft. As they were approaching the airport, a corporate jet took off over their heads as if on cue, and the realization of the treat they were in for began to take hold. The back-to-back small group tours that followed  added to their excitement; They were able to see, touch and sit-in a Cessna aircraft. They all had a chance to “fly” the Flight Path Red Bird certified flight simulator, the same machine used by the airport’s flight instructors to teach student pilots.  Even at this young age, many of the kids showed some real skill in piloting the simulator!  Some were very serious about flying smoothly and others just had fun (not smooth!).  All of the kids saw and learned things about flying they probably have never experienced before.  And right on cue near the end of the sessions, a 1930’s biplane taxied out and took off while all of the children looked on.

The comments from the kids as they unloaded from the vans and returned to camp on Clover Street included “cool!”, “that was fun!”, “amazing!”, “I want to fly”.  This was more than just a fun afternoon. Some of these kids will walk away with a new passion and interest that could create a future path toward flight.  Others may have been inspired to learn more about related STEM and aviation service fields, giving them the motivation to excel in math and science.  Mission accomplished!  A huge thanks to Jeff Vos and the entire Flight Path group.   AUGUST 2021

For more information about Flight Path and the Flight Night free introduction to aviation program for middle and high school students, go to www.miflightpath.org or the Flight Path Facebook page at:   https://www.facebook.com/MIFlightPath/.  Email Flight Path at [email protected]. For more information on the Salvation Army go to  Holland Salvation Army

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Telephone 616-368-1985

Hangar - 1581 Washington Ave, Holland, MI 49423

Flight Path - Where Dreams Can Fly