by WEAR StaffThursday, June 17th 2021

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WEAR) — Students with the Chappie James Flight Academy got a special treat Thursday.

Pilots from the U.S. Coast Guard in Mobile brought over two helicopters for them to see up close.

The kids also had a chance to talk with the pilots and crew about their jobs.

The flight academy gives children in underserved communities the chance to learn about careers in aviation and STEM, inspired by the legacy of Pensacola’s General Chappie James.

Lt. Brent Schiffer says it’s an opportunity for the Coast Guard, too.

“It’s incredible. It’s very important,” said Schiffer. “It’s an opportunity for us to reach out to the next generation of naval aviators and members of their community that we serve that will be a part of our organization hopefully in the future.”

“To be able to get out here on the tarmac and actually see planes taking off, landing, to get to see the wings, to touch the wings, to touch the things that they’ve been looking at all week, and to see their faces when it all comes together, that’s the best part of it,” said Camp Director Tyrone Arrington.

On Friday, Flight Academy students will have a “fly day” at Ferguson Field to celebrate graduation from their week-long camp.

They’ll get to go up with pilots in private planes one-by-one, and will even get to man the controls.