Crivitz students take to the skies

CRIVITZ – A group of seventh grade students from Crivitz School District participated in a summer aviation program sponsored by the Friends of the Crivitz Airport (FoCA).

The participants — all of whom were selected due to their excellence in math and science — included Aiden Newton, Karl Retza, Carmine Robinson, Drea VanDeWalle and Emmett Zak. Additionally, Crivitz students Sawyer Beno, Jason Tomaszewski and Johne Richlen returned to the program as mentors.

Guided by Peter Ogorek — a pilot and member of the FoCA — the students and their families were fully immersed in the world of aviation one Saturday each month from April through August.

The April and May sessions included classroom studies where the students learned about Federal Aviation Regulations as well as the physics behind what makes an airplane fly.

At the June session, the students learned to fly radio-control (R/C) model airplanes and received the opportunity to pilot a full-scale Beechcraft Bonanza — an opportunity provided through the generosity of Jeff Sheridan, who flew his airplane from Minnesota to the Crivitz Airport in support of the students.

Additionally, each participant received an R/C trainer to take home so that they could practice their flying skills for the remainder of the summer thanks to FoCA membership and HobbyTown USA of West Allis.

The July session included a guided tour of the EAA AirVenture airshow and convention in Oshkosh and all the students received free admission courtesy of Boeing Aircraft

Corporation. At AirVenture, the group learned about aviation careers, college flight-training opportunities, FAA certified airplanes, experimental aircrafts, ultralight aircrafts, aircraft construction, warbirds, current military aircraft, vintage airplanes and aerobatic flight.

In addition to many other aircraft at the airshow, the display area included several past and current military fighters including P-51s, F-22s and an F-35, which was being protected by armed military guards.

Finally, through the generous support of Ogorek, participants gathered at his R/C flying field west of Crivitz for an R/C Fun Fly event. They piloted their R/C airplanes in spot-landing contests, air races and aerial dog-fights.

The student participants had a great time and learned a lot throughout the spring and summer.