Flight Camp – An Uplifting Experience

by Matthew Merryman, WCFS 12th Grader

On Tuesday, April 24, a group of WCFS 7-12^th graders had an ‘uplifting’ experience. We participated in the first WCFS flight camp. Thanks to Mr. David Cox who arranged the day’s activities as a part of the EAA Young Eagles program. It all took place at the Frederick Flight Center. We were assigned to a pilot who would take us up in a plant. I was the first group that went up. Our plane was a Piper Dakota, a small 4 seater. Since I was in the front seat I got to take the controls for a while. It was an amazing experience but more stressful then driving on 695. I think for all of us flying was the highlight of the day.

The rest of the day we toured the Frederick Flight School, where there was a really cool flight simulator, and also the Maryland State Police Hanger where we saw the Medvac Trooper 3 Helicopter. Mr. Tim answered our many questions and told us about his experiences as a Medvac pilot, both for the State Police and the National Guard. Some of their duties are: search and rescues, finding runaway convicts, rescuing miners and picking up the loser after a police chase (He said they almost always end in an accident).

It was a great opportunity to find out more about flying and what careers are available for a pilot. It was definitely a memorable experience for me and I thank WCFS and David Cox for giving us the opportunity.

Psalm 8:3-4a “When I consider thy heavens, the work of they fingers, the mood and the starts, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that though art mindful of him?...”