Wekiva\u2019s Military Recruitment Day on March 23<\/a>, which\u00a0Wekiva\u00a0AFJROTC senior instructor Scott Stewart organized.\u00a0<\/p>\n\u201cI had this concept when I got here, and I was like, \u2018Okay, we have to do something for our kids that\u2019s more than just a high school diploma, and what better way than to try to get a simulator going?\u2019\u201d\u00a0Stewart\u00a0said. \u201cIf we could bring this and get this matured, look at what the kids could walk out with\u00a0\u2014\u00a0a high school diploma and a\u00a0beginner\u2019s\u00a0pilot license. Or\u00a0maybe they\u00a0want to be air\u00a0traffic controllers, be mechanics\u00a0\u2014\u00a0the spinoff jobs from this, as well.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The two simulators expected to be available at the start of the coming school year are considered Basic Aviation Training Devices (BATD).\u00a0Each would feature three monitors imitating the cockpit windows and a smaller monitor with flight instruments.\u00a0Of the 40 total hours\u00a0required\u00a0for a private pilot certificate, up to 2.5 hours of training in a BATD simulator with an instructor would be\u00a0credited.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cJuniors in their first year would participate in classroom training equivalent to a Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) approved Private Pilot Ground school,\u201d said the concept paper for Wekiva\u2019s aviation orientation\u00a0and flight training program. \u201cThe private pilot ground school would provide essential theoretical knowledge\u00a0required\u00a0to pass the FAA written test.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to the concept paper, students in eleventh grade will\u00a0learn about aerodynamics,\u00a0aircraft\u00a0systems, meteorology, FAA regulations, and\u00a0more. They would then take a test after completing ground school.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A group of senior students would\u00a0advance from classroom training to receive\u00a0in-flight\u00a0instruction\u00a0from a partnering flight school at a local airport, like Orlando Apopka Airport (X04).\u00a0Those not\u00a0chosen to receive in-flight instruction would continue with \u201cadvanced ground school training.\u201d\u00a0Seniors will learn about instrument flight,\u00a0aircraft\u00a0design, aviation medicine, aviation psychology and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the future, Stewart hopes Wekiva will receive at least one Advanced Aviation Training Device\u00a0(AATD),\u00a0which would\u00a0\u201creplicate\u00a0the cockpit environment and performance characteristics of a specific class of\u00a0aircraft\u00a0(e.g., single-engine piston, multi-engine piston) or even a particular make and model.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPhase 2 is what transforms the program from simulator-based learning into a true, FAA-aligned aviation pipeline, giving students authentic flight experience and increasing their competitiveness for postsecondary aviation programs and careers,\u201d the Foundation for OCPS statement said.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Sarah Merly is an editorial assistant and reporter for The Apopka Chief. She joined the Chief in May 2025 after graduating from Patrick Henry College’s journalism program in Washington, D.C. In her spare time, Sarah loves watching rom-coms, visiting Disney, and throwing parties.<\/p>\n
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![\"Wekiva](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Wekiva-High-School-JROTC-students-pose-with-the-10K-check-at-the-March-23-Military-Recruitment-Day.-.jpeg\")
Wekiva High School JROTC students pose with the $10K check at the March 23 Military Recruitment Day.<\/p>\n