People tour a Black Hawk helicopter at Austin Straubel International Airport, July 19, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — As people are getting ready for the upcoming EAA AirVenture, dozens of aviation fans are hosting an event in the Green Bay area.
A military helicopter kicked off the inaugural “Discover Aviation for Kids Day.”
For nearly 50 years, the Sikorsky UH-60 medium-lift helicopter has been a workhorse for the United States military. On Wednesday morning, a Black Hawk made an appearance at Austin Straubel International Airport in Ashwaubenon.
“Quite an interesting, very complex, piece of machinery, obviously. This one, the captain just told me, is from 1988. So, it’s been in the military for quite a while,” said Dan Fulwiler, Ashwaubenon.
Dan Fulwiler and his two granddaughters were the first to get a look.
“You get to see a lot of different opportunities that not a lot of people get to see, and have. Not many people get to see a helicopter land in the middle of the day,” said Macie Zimmerman, Algoma.
“It’s pretty cool. It looks complicated, and you probably go through a lot of schooling,” said Katie Zimmerman, Algoma.
One hangar over, inside the Pilotsmith building, 13 year-old Landon Kern is taking off in a simulator with the help of the flight instructor.
“Keep going, not too much higher. There you go. Not too bad,” said Trisha LaBrosse, Flight Instructor.
What was it like in there?
“It was a little weird. I had a bunch of different controls I had no idea how you use them or anything,” said Landon Kern, Green Bay.
Jet Air line technician Doug Santelli helped organize the event.
“We want to spark the interest for the aviation industry too. If you want to go airlines, that’s great. But we also like to show this side of the aviation as well,” said Doug Santelli, Discover Aviation for Kids Day Organizer.
Dan Fulwiler agrees. He’s been flying since 1989.
“Aviation, it takes an effort, and it’s an interesting career, if you get the bug. Flying is one of those things, once you do it and experience it, a lot of people get the bug, and it’s just with you all your life,” he said.
The day also included a tour of the air traffic control tower.
Plans are already in the works for next year.
Organizers say they hope to expand Discover Aviation Day to include a career day event for those aged 14 and up.
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