Ann Arbor, MI, Oct. 31, 2014 — Continuing the tradition of sharing their expertise with the community, Michigan Aerospace Corporation (MAC) has again been busy bringing their technical skills to the public. Recent programs include participating in the Aviation and Aerospace Teacher Workshop on Saturday, October 18, at the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Aviation Building in Lansing, MI. Recognizing the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education in providing individuals to fill important technical roles in the future, MAC employees spent the day demonstrating to teachers how aerospace education can play a pivotal role in bringing various science disciplines into the classroom in a practical, exciting way. This year, the teachers saw a demonstration of a radio-controlled aircraft actually flown inside the MDOT auditorium and the construction of a FPG (Foam Plate Glider, a simple and inexpensive demonstrator stamped from standard foam dinner plates) to teach construction techniques, aerodynamic principles and flight trimming as well as simulated flight. Each teacher left with a package of information to allow them to implement these techniques directly into their classrooms.
On Saturday, October 25, MAC staff, along with other aviation suppliers, worked with 125 Girl Scouts at Oakland County International Airport in Waterford Township as part of a Woman in Aviation Program. Each youngster decorated, constructed and then flew their own FPG. The young ladies received hands-on instruction in how airplanes fly, watched demonstrations of radio-controlled aircraft and Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), heard a presentation on what it takes to become a pilot, what other career opportunities exist in aviation, and also had a chance to fly a simulator. MAC supplied all of the material for these programs.
MAC also supplied the simulator for an aviation Town Hall Meeting in Pontiac, MI on Sunday, October 26. And in May of this year, MAC was a key participant in the “Tech Twilight” open house program at the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. MAC’s booth included two flight simulators and distributed more FPGs, with MAC personnel using them the basics of flying and aviation to children and adults alike. MAC CEO Peter Tchoryk said “It is our pleasure to help promote aerospace education in multiple forms and locations.”