Those enrolled in Bernard Middle School’s Flight and Space course now have the opportunity to hone their recently learned skills, hop in a cockpit and pilot a plane — sort of.
The Oakville middle school acquired a flight simulator in early October thanks to a donation from Wisconsin-based non-profit Students in Aviation. The machine — valued roughly at $3,700 — simulates a Cessna 172, the “most successful aircraft in history.”
“It’s an immersive experience that really makes the kids feel like they’re in an actual plane,” Riquel Riddle, Bernard’s Project Lead the Way teacher, said. Project Lead the Way is a national program that provides students with opportunities to engage in project-based, hands-on learning opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects. “(The flight simulator) is similar to a game they would play on an Xbox or Nintendo Switch, but it has the big TV and the actual rudder pedals and actual yoke that they can pull and manipulate. It brings it to life and aligns to a real-world experience.”
Despite its hefty price tag, the process of obtaining the flight simulator “was really easy” according to Riddle. The Mehlville School District Board of Education first had to approve the addition of the course, which it did without a hitch in June 2024. Riddle then became certified for instruction, and this past June, she applied for the simulator by giving a rationale for how it would be used to connect to the course curriculum. She was told over the summer that it would be a two month wait, though this was extended to four months, adding to the anticipation of students and staff alike. Much to the delight of the class, the simulator finally arrived early last month; it’s safe to say that it has been a hit so far.
“They love it. Every day they come in (asking), ‘Can I get on today?’” Riddle said.
To stay organized, Riddle has put together a schedule dictating who uses the machine when. She also has a required flight log for students to take note of each virtual journey.
Riddle currently teaches just one Flight and Space class, though come January, a second will be added. She anticipates that as the course grows in popularity, more sections will continue to be added. Flight and Space is an elective course open to Bernard students of all ages.
“They choose to be here,” Riddle said. “Most are really interested in future space careers or just interested in space or flight in general.”