Today we started the actual programme side of our trip. We met the other kids in our squadrons and our chiefs. We made lots of new friends and learned a lot about each other. We learned about the physics of planes and how they work. After about half an hour we learned around 106 things about planes. We went into the JOC which is the Joint operations centre. In here we learned how to talk to pilots from air traffic control centres and how to identify planes on radars. We also went into the hangar where the simulators were. These simulators were really hard to fly but we’ll get used to them. The last thing that we did today was learn how to plan missions. A lot of this is about maths but it’s really interesting. We also did interviews about our time here and how we were accepted to participate in the programme. I was really nervous when I did mine but I enjoyed it as well.
-Iarla Muldoon.
Today when we woke up we went to a golf club and had breakfast. We hadn’t really gotten used to the portions. The large in Ireland is the small in America!! It was hard to finish our pancakes but they were lovely. We then headed back to ‘Ambition’.
We got ready to go to the museum of naval aviation. We were amazed at how many planes there were. There was a Blue Angels simulator which was very good. After we went to have lunch in a restaurant at the museum. It was a very good experience.
Then we went back to our rooms to get our money. We had 20 minutes so we went into the games room for the first time. It has two TVs in it, one for the Xbox and one for the Playstation. There’s also an air-hockey table. Then we went to the mall and spent 2 hours there.
Afterwards we got dinner in a seafood restaurant. We played volleyball while we were waiting for the food. It was great fun. We ended the night by returning to ‘Ambition’ and had an air-hockey tournament. Mark won!
Here we are coming off the Bombardier CRJ900 at Pensacola airport.
We got an ovation from the crowd before we even got to arrivals.
We were met by Chip Yarborough, Programme Director at NFA, Dr. Dave Dawson of University of West Florida, Natalie Suarez, Event Coordinator and Lonex, Melody and Mike, who are our new chiefs. We are so excited to be here! Go NFA!
We have arrived safely in Pensacola and have gotten our badges and lodgings at the NFA. See us settling in here, with more to follow! Night to everyone in Ireland! We need our sleep!
Flying to Florida !
Today eleven out of the twelve ambassadors met up in Dublin airport. We had to go through two sets of security and customs before we could get onto the plane.When we got onto the plane they told us what to do if there was an emergency. Then shortly after that the plane took off at around 9:30. We are flying in a Boeing 757.We have a stop over in Charlotte for eight hours and then on to Pensacola. We are meeting the twelfth ambassador in Charlotte and he is flying with us to Pensacola. We are all so jet lagged but I’m sure it will be worth it !
By Leona Larkin
Here we are in Charlotte as we wait on our final plane to Pensacola.
Today we are flying to the National Flight academy in Pensacola, Florida from Dublin airport. It’s so exciting and I can’t wait to arrive in Florida! It’s been an early morning but it’s all been worth it! We are just waiting for our early morning breakfast in the airport. Our flight departs at 9:30am and we arrive in Charlotte at 12:30pm local time.
We were interviewed by Antoinette Giblin of Galway Bay FM yesterday. Check out the interview here.
In the photo you can see us with Mayor of Galway city; Padraig Conneely.
Thanks to Andrew Downes for taking such great photos!
On Wednesday the 24th of July 2013, twelve Aviator of the Future Ambassadors gathered at Galway Education Centre. At this ceremonial gathering they were presented with their uniforms before they travel to the National Flight Academy, in Pensacola, Florida, on Friday July 26th, 2013. Here the Ambassadors are representing Galway and Ireland and taking part in a special five day residency on board the NFA’s simulated training aircraft carrier, ‘Ambition’. Ambition is designed to simulate a modern aircraft carrier with three decks catering for everything from simulation and immersion centre spaces to academic spaces, mess decks and accommodation berthing.
The twelve Ambassadors are : Louise Hosty, Salerno, Leona Larkin, St. Augustine’s NS Clontuskert, Kate Tarpey, Gort CS, Erin Shimizu , Coláiste na Coiribe, Sinead Bohan, Dominican College, Amy Forde, Gairmscoil Mhuire, Athenry, Iarla Muldoon, St.Joseph’s College, Garbally, Michael Murphy, St. Joseph’s College, Galway, Mark Fitzgerald, St. Enda’s College, Salthill, Eoin Corcoran, Holy Rosary College, Domhnall O Braonain, Colaiste Cholmcille, Killian McHugh, St. Joseph’s College, Galway.
The Aviator of the Future Ambassadors were met by Galway City Mayor; Mr. Padraig Conneely. He was impressed by The Aviators of the Future Programme as it aims to create a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) among students in County Galway, along with critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork and communication. The students will keep a daily log of their adventures on http://www.aviatorofthefuture.com and maintain a Twitter feed on @AviatorFuture .
This renewal of the agreement between the Galway Education Centre and the National Flight Academy marks another historic milestone as last year the 12 students from Galway were the very first international students on board the ‘Ambition’.
Today when we woke up we went to a golf club and had breakfast. We hadn’t really gotten used to the portions. The large in Ireland is the small in America!! It was hard to finish our pancakes but they were lovely. We then headed back to ‘Ambition’.
We got ready to go to the museum of naval aviation. We were amazed at how many planes there were. There was a Blue Angels simulator which was very good. After we went to have lunch in a restaurant at the museum. It was a very good experience.
Then we went back to our rooms to get our money. We had 20 minutes so we went into the games room for the first time. It has two tv’s in it. One for the Xbox and one for the Playstation. There’s also an air-hockey table. Then we went to the mall and spent 2 hours there.
Afterwards we got dinner in a seafood restaurant. We played volleyball while we were waiting for the food. It was great fun. We ended the night by returning to ‘Ambition’ and had an air-hockey tournament. Mark won!
Today the Aviator of the Future Ambassadors are visiting Atlantic Air Venture in Shannon. Jane has been teaching us about the forces of flight; lift, weight, thrust and drag.
Aviator of the Future Programme 
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