Students look to the sky to learn about aviation in Thermal

Students with the Desert Mirage High School Aviation Academy are looking to the sky in Thermal.

They celebrated the grand opening of the Jacqueline Cochran Discovery of Flight and Education Center Saturday.

Students such as Azalea Box took their first flight lessons.

“This will be my first time for my actual training to get my pilots license and I’m really excited to learn about all the equipment and all the gadgets,” she said.

The center provides a unique opportunity to the high school students. Penny Nelson, the Landmark Aviation general manager, said the aviation industry needs more interest from the younger generation.

“The jobs are out there. They’re very needed and the kids are being introduced to aviation in the right way. It’s going to be great for them,” Nelson said.

The Coachella Valley Unified School District said programs like these are essential to students.