More than 300 students spent two weeks working to become familiar with flight alongside instructor pilots at the Flight Center in Guidonia. The course, open to high school students from Padua on a voluntary and free basis, was divided into two parts: the first theoretical part, from May 7 to 10, was dedicated to lessons in aeronautics, propulsion, flight maneuvers, aeronautical engines, on-board instrumentation, and flight safety with a final written test; the second, from May 14 to 17, was reserved for flight training on the dual-control aircraft SIAI 208, under the guidance of the instructor pilots of the Guidonia Airport/Flight Center. During the award ceremony, Major Filippo Zuffada, Commander of the Flying Boat Center in Guidonia, emphasized that the success of this experience is the result of a team effort involving the Air Staff, the Flying Boat Center and the 2nd Missile Maintenance Department, based at the “Gino Allegri” airport in Padua. The top-ranking students were awarded prizes, while all the participating students received a certificate of attendance that can be used to obtain training credits and merit points in certain competitions for enlistment in the Air Force. There were numerous demonstrations of affection and sympathy on the part of the students, which culminated in the delivery of a commemorative photo autographed by the students of the 5th M class.
The activity was presented to the local press on May 11th by Major Filippo Zuffada, during an event attended by numerous civil authorities, including the Prefect of Padua, Dr. Ennio Mario Sodano, and the Provincial Councilor, Hon. Enrico Pavanetto, as well as military personnel. Among the latter, the Chief of the 5th Air Staff Department, Brigadier General Claudio Salerno, who emphasized “the importance of the initiative aimed at bringing young people closer to the Air Force and sealing the strong bond between citizenship and the Armed Forces”, the Inspector of the Flight Safety Inspectorate, Brigadier General Amedeo Magnani, the Commander of the Airport/Flying Boat Center in Guidonia, Colonel Fabio Tolomeo, the Commander of the 51st Stormo of Istrana (TV), Colonel Enrico Garettini, the Colonel Maurizio Nastasi, representing the Commander of the 2nd Division of the Air Logistics Command of the Air Force.
The course just concluded is the second of two scheduled for 2012; the first was held in Cameri from March 19 to 30, 2012.
Tgr Veneto of 14/05/2012 at 14:00
Tg Canale Italia on 13/05/2012 at 20.30
Canale Italia: Flying Hearts at the helm of a dream
