The most deserving students from the Air Force high school were awarded motivational flights at the 51st Wing and the 313th Aerobatic Training Group.
I motivational speeches represent the third phase of the project“Young Eagles”, a programme foreseen by the Educational Offer Plan of Florence Air Force Military School “Giulio Douhet” which, through a series of aviation-themed activities, aims to increase and consolidate the passion that young cadets have for flying. The first phase of “Young Eagles” includes a glider flight course at the 60th Wing in Guidonia, while the second phase consists of familiarisation flight activities on board Siai S.208/M powered aircraft. As for the third phase, the most deserving cadets in their final year of the Italian Air Force High School were rewarded with motivational flights at the 51st Wing in Istrana and the 313th Aerobatic Training Group in Rivolto.
“This flight was a unique and unforgettable experience: my dream of flying in a military fighter jet has come true. Being able to see up close the work behind every single flight and then experiencing it firsthand made me realise that joining the Air Force was the right choice.”Andrea is still excited when he has to describe his feelings about the flight he took on board an AMX-T immediately after. 51st Wing in Istrana (TV).
Sharing his joy is Viola, who also just returned from a flight on an AMX-T: “The flight was extraordinary and unexpected. You can watch all the aeroplane videos or try all the most sophisticated simulators, but the real experience is something else entirely. The heart pounding, the G-suit inflating, the manoeuvres through the clouds are hard to describe in words. But in one word: breathtaking. Beyond expectations: the adrenaline seemed endless. One of the best experiences of my life.”
Andrea and Viola are two of the four pupils from the “G. Douhet” Military Aviation School in Florence who were hosted by the 51st Wing on Wednesday 12th April for motivational flights, which the Air Force uses to reward its most deserving pupils.
The next day, the same emotion was experienced by Giulia and Antonio, who had the opportunity to carry out motivational flights on an aircraft of the National Aerobatic Team. 313° Aerobatic Training Group.
For Antonio, the chance to fly with the Frecce Tricolori represents the fulfilment of a dream: “I don't know how many times I must have seen them whizzing above my head. It's incredible that today I was able to experience the adrenaline of flying with them and see the incredible skills of the pilots up close.”.
Giulia, too, once her feet were back on firm ground, didn't hide her emotion:“The atmosphere at the 313th Group is unique. I'm thrilled to have experienced the work carried out by the PAN up close, their commitment, their passion. I will certainly treasure this experience.”.
The “Giulio Douhet” Air Force Military School – the Air Force High School – it was inaugurated in 2006 and is a secondary education institute offering the final three years of study in classical and scientific streams, admission to which is by public competition. The institute's aim is to foster the cultural, human, moral and physical development of its students, so that they may become good citizens and face the challenges of tomorrow, regardless of the future life choices each of them will make.
