Official Kids Mag

On August 19, Americans celebrate National Aviation Day. It's a great day to learn more about airplanes and aviation. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt first proclaimed that August 19 would be National Aviation Day. Why August 19? Because that's Orville Wright's birthday. Orville, along with his brother Wilbur, were the legendary Wright brothers. They flew the first powered and controlled flight in a heavier-than-air flying machine in Kitty Hawk, N.C., in 1903. Before that, people had only flown in gliders and balloons. The flight lasted 12 seconds and travelled 120 feet. So how will you celebrate National Aviation Day? Here are some suggestions from the folks at NASA: Spread your wings Have someone take a picture of you and your friends or loved ones stretching out your arms like the wings of an airplane. Post your photo to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, or any other social media. Be sure and tag it with #SpreadYourWings or #NationalAviationDay. Visit a museum Visit your local science museum or air museum and learn more about airplanes and aviation. In Northwest Arkansas, try the Air and Military Museum in Fayetteville, AR (story on page 48 of this issue of Official Kids Mag.) In Southwest Missouri, check out the Air & Military Museum of the Ozarks, 2305 East Kearney in Springfield, Missouri. Watch an aviation-themed movie There's no shortage of classic aviation- themed movies available to watch including Jimmy Stewart's "The Spirit of St. Louis," Disney's "Planes," the documentary "One Six Right: The Romance of Flying," "Amelia," a look at the life of legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart, and the National Geographic IMAX spectacle "Living in the Age of Airplanes." Take an introductory flight lesson There is a wonderful sense of freedom in flying, not to mention the incredible views and the personal sense of accomplishment that comes from mastering the skills required to fly. Being a pilot is not for everyone – but you won't know unless you try! See the story about the Young Eagles program on page 46 to learn how to start! And if you want a taste of flight without leaving the ground, computer desktop flight simulators such as Microsoft Flight Simulator X or X-Plane 10 are popular choices and can get you into the virtual sky in short order. Build an airplane Why not? It doesn't have to be big enough to actually fly in. Putting together a smaller plastic model kit of one of the world's most historic aircraft can be just as rewarding and just as educational, especially for if you are thinking about a career as an engineer or aerospace technician. In fact, many astronauts will tell you their love of aviation and space began with putting models together as a child. Another idea: Grab some LEGO bricks and build the airplane of your dreams. Or make it easy on yourself, fold a paper airplane and shoot it across the room (see the instructions on page 30). Sometimes simple works best. Visit your local library Aviation-themed books, whether fact or fiction, are all over the shelves of your local library – literally. Look for books on aviation history, books on how to design an airplane, picture books about airplanes and air travel. Ask your librarian for help! Have a plane spotting picnic near an airport If you live near a major international airport, chances are you know the best place to go watch aircraft take off and land. Be sure to pay attention to any security restrictions about where you can and can't go. But once you have your spot picked out then load up your picnic basket with lots of good stuff and camp out next to the airport for an afternoon of plane spotting. See how many different types of airplanes you can count or identify. For a truly up-close and personal experience, bring a scanner radio and listen in on air traffic control. It's National Aviation Day! Orville & Wilbur Wright UP, UP & AWAY Source: General Aviation News.com Off icialKidsMag.com • AUGUST 2019 • 45

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