Exploring unique CCAs: Flying Club

While traditional options like sports and arts are popular choices for co-curricular activities (CCAs), there's also a rising trend towards unique and unconventional CCAs that offer a fresh perspective! We previously talked about Fencing, so which other unique CCA do you think we will be covering today?

Taking learning to the skies: Flying Club

Flying Clubs provide a unique platform for students to delve into the fascinating world of aviation. Beyond the thrill of being airborne, this CCA offers an enriching learning experience that extends far beyond the classroom than you can imagine! Students not only learn the technicalities of flying but also delve into subjects like physics, meteorology, and navigation, making it a holistic educational journey.

The Singapore Youth Flying Club (SYFC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, implemented the Flying Club CCA programme in secondary schools to enable secondary school students to learn more about aviation knowledge, simulator flying, and aeromodelling activities. Read more about them here!

There are currently 17 secondary schools participating in their CCA programme, such as Bedok Green Secondary School, NUS High School of Maths and Science, School of Science and Technology, Hwa Chong Institute, Changkat Changi Secondary School, and Woodlands Ring Secondary School.

Takeaways from Flying Club

1. Building essential life skills

While soaring through the skies may seem like a recreational pursuit, the Flying Club CCA focuses on instilling valuable life skills in its participants. Communication, teamwork, and problem-solving take centre stage as students work together to navigate the complexities of flying. Activities include Launch Glider, where students train their art of building functional gliders from basic material and tools, and trimming the glider for the best glide ratio flight in a bid to understand and hone their basics and skills of flying.

2. Fostering a passion for STEM

In a world that increasingly values Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) skills, the Flying Club emerges as a beacon for nurturing a passion for these subjects. The hands-on experiences offered by the club make abstract concepts tangible, sparking a genuine interest in STEM fields. Whether it's understanding the physics behind lift and thrust or calculating fuel consumption for a flight, students engage with STEM in a practical and exciting manner.

Singapore, with its emphasis on becoming a Smart Nation, benefits immensely from a generation well-versed in STEM! The Flying Club, therefore, aligns perfectly with the national agenda by contributing to the development of a pool of young talent ready to take on challenges in the fields of aviation, engineering, and technology.

3. Cultivating a sense of responsibility

Safety is paramount in aviation, and the Flying Club impresses upon its members the critical importance of responsibility and accountability. Students learn to follow strict safety protocols, understand the significance of meticulous planning, and develop a deep sense of responsibility toward their own lives and the lives of others.

The PC Flight Simulator activity that students will be undertaking in this CCA introduces them to the basics of piloting a light aircraft, which include conducting the standard instrument scan in a cockpit, observing the operating speed and heading of the aircraft, and maintaining accuracy in flying.

This heightened awareness extends beyond the cockpit, influencing students' decision-making and actions in their daily lives. The Flying Club, in essence, shapes individuals who not only dream of reaching new heights but also understand the gravity of their actions and the impact they can have on the world around them.

Wrapping up

As parents actively seek opportunities that go beyond the conventional in shaping their children's educational journey, the Flying Club emerges as a compelling option. Beyond the sheer thrill of flying, this unique CCA provides an avenue for holistic development, fostering skills and values that extend far beyond the confines of the cockpit. Add this interesting club to your child’s CCA list today!