On January 20, the Aeronautical Center hosted a group of 47 Norman Public School aviation students to show them just a few of the things that go on around the Center. These students are some of the thousands learning from the four-year, "You Can Fly" Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) curriculum. The Aeronautical Center was able to showcase some of the exciting careers available in the aviation industry. With Oklahoma being ranked #1 in the Nation for high schools teaching aviation curriculum, Aeronautical Center employees are always ecstatic to partner with schools to support their efforts.

One of the stops on this tour was the FAA Academy, for students to see first-hand what it takes to be an Air Traffic Controller, and to learn about some of the training required to maintain the National Airspace System (NAS).

The other location visited during the tour was the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, where students were able to see a glimpse of the important research that goes on there. One student was able to experience spatial disorientation in a simulator, and then explained to his peers what he felt while the chair was spinning. The group was also able to enter the hypobaric chamber to learn more about pilot training, and later experienced some other simulators.

As the tour concluded, students gathered in the Blue Sky Café for lunch and discussed all the exciting things that they learned at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center.