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Rising high school juniors and seniors who currently have a 2.5 or higher GPA are eligible to participate. All application requirements must be met in order to be considered. Space is limited, and preference will be given to rising high school seniors.

2024 Academy Dates

• December 2023: Application opens
• March 22: Aviation Summer Academy and scholarship applications due
• April: Notification for acceptance and scholarship recipients
• May 17: Final non-refundable tuition payment must be postmarked
• June 9: Camp check-in begins at 2 p.m.
• June 14: Camp concludes. Lunch for students and invited guests begins at 11:30 a.m. with a short program during the meal. Check-out begins at 1 p.m. Out-of-state students should book their transportation accordingly. Participants are asked to stay for the lunch and presentation on the last day.

Modules explore the varying areas of the aviation industry and consist of dedicated instruction and interactive activities led by faculty members, certified flight instructors and guest speakers. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided for participants.

Below is a sample schedule based on past academies. Students will receive their final schedule for the 2023 program upon checking in.

Day 1

Welcome to SLU
After check-in, meet your counselors and learn about the schedule for the week. Check-in is held from 2 to 5 p.m. in the residence hall. Airport transportation will be provided starting at 2 p.m. for students traveling from out of state.

Campus Tour
Join an ambassador of Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University to discover the beauty of our campus and hear first-hand experiences from a current SLU student. Before the tour, explore McDonnell Douglas Hall and follow the historic timeline that details our rich history as the nation’s oldest aviation school.

Team Activities
Break into groups and compete in a series of timed, problem solving activities.

Ted Drewes
Take a break and enjoy a St. ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ tradition, Ted Drewes frozen custard.

Day 2

Introduction to Flight Science
Tour the Parks Center for Aviation Science at the St. ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Downtown Airport. You will practice your piloting skills on SLU’s flight simulators and learn how to preflight an aircraft with guidance from certified flight instructors and SLU aviation students.

Aerial Navigation and Avionics Modules
Learn how to read aerial maps and create a flight plan. Explore the latest technologies in avionics and flight instruments.

Day 3

Discovery Flights in SLU Airplanes
Take a flight in a Diamond DA/20 aircraft with experienced flight instructors and see St. ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ from the air (weather permitting).

Simon Rec Center
Visit the Saint ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ University Simon Rec Center where you can swim at the pool and play basketball or volleyball.

Day 4

Aviation Industry Field Trip
Visit a location in the aviation industry to explore possible career paths and learn from professionals currently working in the field.

Aviation Management Modules
Explore the various fields within the aviation industry in addition to piloting, such as aviation safety and airport operations. Learn about opportunities in humanitarian aviation and other optional career paths.

Day 5

Aerodynamics and Aircraft Design Modules
Enhance your understanding of basic aerodynamics through interactive activities and demonstrations of Parks’ wind tunnel laboratories.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Modules
Maneuver a SLU quad-copter through an obstacle course while discovering the many facets of the unmanned aerial vehicle industry.

Afternoon Flight
Take another flight in SLU aircraft with a certified flight instructor to a different local airport, land and fly back. Learn how to log flight hours in a log book.

Day 6

Busch Student Center
Before you leave Summer Academy, visit SLU’s central hub for student activity. The BSC is home to many student organizations, dining and the University bookstore.

Closing Lunch
On this last day of the academy, families are invited to attend the closing luncheon and enjoy a short program to wrap up the week-long experience.

$1000

Payment is not due until acceptance decisions have been made. Full and partial scholarships are available. Students wishing to be considered for a scholarship need to submit the scholarship application in addition to the general application by March 19.

Tuition covers all meals, room and board, materials and activities during the academy, including field trips, flights, simulators, academic modules and evening entertainment. Transportation between St. ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ Lambert International Airport, Amtrak’s St. ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ station and SLU’s campus at the beginning and end of the academy is included for out-of-state students.

Full and partial scholarships for Summer Academy tuition are available based on financial need and merit. Submit the scholarship application by March 17 in order to be considered.

Scholarship applicants must complete all regular application requirements plus the online scholarship application. The application will ask you to answer the following questions:

• Why do you want to attend the Aviation Summer Academy?
• Why are you applying for a scholarship for the Summer Academy?
• Why are you a viable or deserving scholarship candidate? (Consider scholastic or academic achievements, extracurricular activities, demonstrated interests, etc.)

Consideration for acceptance into the Aviation Summer Academy requires the following components:

• Completed online application form due March 19.

Due to limited space, preference will be given to rising high school seniors.