Durham, NC: Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) is giving teens a chance to take flight and learn what it’s like to be a pilot through an exciting new Aviation Flight Simulator Program at the Durham Teen Center, and one local teen is using this experience to move towards a career in aviation.
Jairus Mathieu, known to family and friends as “JB,” is a sophomore at Riverside High School and heard about this unique program with DPR through his Airforce JROTC instructor. He immediately took an interest and registered for the free program.
The Aviation Flight Simulator Program is a hands-on experience that allows teens aged 13 to 17 to take control of the cockpit and navigate the skies with professional-grade flight simulation equipment — the same technology that real pilots use. This free program teaches participants how math, science and focus work together from take-off to landing to make flight possible. Each weekly session teaches kids precision, discipline and real-world STEM skills through an “Earn Your Wings” Progress Card System, moving from Student Pilot to Navigator to Pilot in Command.
“What sets this apart from a video game is that it’s treated as a Flight Laboratory, emphasizing real aviation fundamentals, focus, and responsibility,” said Cimarron Reed, Recreation Coordinator at the Durham Teen Zone. “Ultimately, it’s about creating a pathway — from learning the basics to exploring pilot training and aviation careers.”…