Aspiring pilots take flight

Aspiring young pilots participated in CMU Tech’s “Let’s Fly! Introduction to Aviation Camp,” highlighted by Cessna discovery flights at Grand Junction Regional Airport. On July 10, students—including 11-year-old Beck Millan and Molly Gilbert, a certified flight instructor—rolled out a Cessna aircraft from a hangar as part of a week-long aviation program. The core activity for many families was a 30-minute discovery flight, scheduled at the end of the course, where students can fly the aircraft under instruction. While the optional flight costs an additional $100, CMU Tech said nearly all enrolled families register for it. The camp ran for two weeks, led by Asher Finch and Molly Gilbert, both certified flight instructors. Finch said only a few students choose not to fly, and instructors supervise takeoff and landing while students perform basic maneuvers and may fly over their homes. Using a setup with a co-pilot seat, instructors can take control immediately if needed, and high-altitude conditions make recovery from mishandled maneuvers easier for professionals.