Planes, helicopters, and drones!
Redmond Area Park and Recreation District will host its first ever Aviation Day
– a free community event –
at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center on
Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 11:00am to 4:00pm
Aviation Day will include exciting demonstrations and activities for all ages and fun prize giveaways!
Whether your child has already shown an interest in planes, helicopters, or drones, or they are just discovering technology through toys and games on computers and smartphones, Science/Tech/Engineering/Math themes will play a big role in their future education and career options. RAPRD hopes this fair-like atmosphere and hands-on fun will spark interest and curiosity about STEM and aviation careers and hobbies.
Central Oregon, with its high, flat landscape, clear of tall buildings and other hazards, is particularly well-suited to recreational and professional aviation activities. Redmond is therefore a fertile ground for aviation careers, as well as flight-inspired fun.
The booming local aviation industry – and COCC’s Aviation Department - presents a unique opportunity to interest Redmond kids in STEM fields early on, so they'll be ready to connect with local training, licensing, and educational opportunities at our community college, and perhaps eventually find a home in the local economy so that Central Oregon can hang onto our young STEM talents.
Our goal is to foster a fair-like atmosphere where Redmond kids and families can connect with local aviation hobbyists and professionals to ask questions and experience some of the options available in Central Oregon. This is the first year we hosting Aviation Day, but we are hoping it can become an annual event.
Special thanks to the Central Oregon STEM Hub team for helping to organize this unique event!
Confirmed Participants
Central Oregon Community College - Volunteers from drone operator classes will show off their drones and moves, and demonstrate basic operation and safety in a "drone camp" for participants.
Drone camp will include a safety cage with an obstacle course inside. Participants will fly drones through the course with help from COCC aviation department volunteers. Family members and kids waiting for a turn at the drone controls can watch from bleachers and outside the cage, COCC will set up computer stations with a simulator so that kids can fly simulated model aircraft flights and play games.
Once kids get the hang of the drone controls and safety rules, COCC will organize races through the obstacle course, time and space permitting.
Redmond’s Aircraft Fire and Rescue Team – Firefighters will show off one of the fire trucks they use to respond to aircraft emergencies.
AirLink – Crew members will bring their helicopter on site so that kids can get a look inside and ask the crew about the exciting and important work they do.
Warm Springs FAA UAS Test Range – member of the Pan Pacific Test Range Complex under the auspices of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. One of only a handful of national test ranges, Warm Springs will show off their EZ Rig drone.
Sisters and Bend area EAA Chapters of the Experimental Aircraft Association. These local non-profit groups provide "discovery flights" for both "Young Eagles" and Eagles (those over 18), and other projects to get them interested in aviation.
Sisters High School Flight Science, Outlaw Aviation, and Sisters Eagle Airport - Students from Sisters High School will show off what they've learned in their Flight Science class, where they are studying for their pilot's licenses, and the Sisters team will bring a flight simulator so that kids can experience what it's like to be in the cockpit.
Outlaw Aviation with their Cessna 172
Field of Dreams RC Club - members will display their radio control planes in all shapes and sizes and be on hand to answer kids' questions about building and flying RC planes in Redmond.
