Young cadets from the “G. Douhet” Military School in Florence are the protagonists of the introductory flight course in the skies of Florence
On Friday, April 21st, after 4 days of intense flight activity, the Orientation course in motor aviation for the 29 trainees of the Corso Taurus, in its second year Military Aeronautics School “G. Douhet” in Florence.
The activity – preceded by some theoretical lessons – saw each student perform a flight of approximately 45 minutes alongside instructor pilots. 60° Wing from Guidonia on board Siai U.208/M motor-powered aircraft.
This activity represents the second phase of the project. “Young Eagles”, a three-year programme included in the School's Educational Offer Plan, which aims to increase and consolidate young pupils' passion for flight and aeronautical culture at the Institute, and to develop their skills in planning and managing psycho-physical stress.
The first phase of “Young Eagles” includes a course of flight on a glider conducted at the Gliding Club of the 60th Stormtrooper Squadron in Guidonia; while the third phase of the project consists of a series of motivational flights – at one or more Air Force Stormtrooper squadrons – intended for the students of the final year of the Institute. Furthermore, for the most meritorious students – always of the third year – a series of motivational flights are planned aboard the MB339PAN aircraft of the National Acrobatics Patrol or, as happened this year, on an AMX-T aircraft of the 51st Stormtrooper Squadron.
To attend the event, the Air Commodore Urbano Floreani, Commander of the Institute of Military Aeronautical Sciences in Florence, who, in addition to highlighting the educational value that this project holds for the students, recalled that this initiative is just one of the many events with which the Air Force – in the year of its centenary – intends to open itself to the wonderful city of Florence.
While observing the students' flights, the Colonel Massimiliano Macioce, Commander of the Douhet, who reiterated the educational importance of the day: “Among the goals of our School, as it is the Air Force High School, there is also the desire to offer our students the opportunity to experience experiences like this and to allow them to cultivate their passion for flying. In this sense, the activity of getting acquainted with motor aviation, as well as the other phases of the Young Eagles project, fully express the purely aeronautical connotation of our Institute.”.
The “Giulio Douhet” Military Aviation School, inaugurated in 2006, is a secondary school of second-level education that offers courses in the classical and scientific fields of study for the final three years of study. Admission to the school is by public competition. The goal of the school is to foster balanced development in students in the human, cultural, moral, physical, and character aspects, so that they possess the necessary skills to become good citizens and to face the challenges of tomorrow, regardless of the future life choices of each student.
