COMPLIMENTARY PILOT SESSION

A dynamic, hands-on aviation STEM experience introducing students to decision-making, teamwork, leadership, and real-world aviation concepts.

GRADES

GRADES 5–8

DURATION

60 MINUTES

Includes student interaction and Q&A

FOCUS

Aviation • STEM
Leadership • Decision-Making

SETTING

Classroom • Auditorium • Multi-Purpose Room

SAMPLE LEARNING EXPERIENCE

One example of the many aviation STEM learning experiences Paladin can provide.
Program content is adapted to student grade level, school goals, and the selected Paladin program.

HOW AIRPLANES OVERCOME GRAVITY

Students will explore the four forces of flight—Lift, Weight, Thrust, and Drag—and how they work together to keep an airplane in the sky.

LESSON PROCEDURE (EXAMPLE)

1. ENGA

(10 MINUTES)

  • Show a short video of an airplane taking off.
  • Ask students: “What makes an airplane fly?”
  • Introduce the four forces: Lift, Weight, Thrust, Drag.
  • Display a simple diagram of the forces acting on an airplane.

2. EXPLORE

(20 MINUTES)

  • Provide students with the Force Diagram Worksheet.
  • In teams, students define each force and give an example of how it affects an airplane.
  • Teams label a diagram showing all four forces.

3. EXPLAIN

(10 MINUTES)

  • Review each force as a class.
  • Use a real-world example (takeoff, cruising, landing) to explain how the forces change.
  • Highlight the importance of balance.

4. ELABORATE

(15 MINUTES)

  • Students fold paper airplanes.
  • Test flights and observe how changes (nose up/down, folds, weight) affect performance.
  • Discuss how pilots adjust the forces during flight.

5. EVALUATE

(5 MINUTES)

  • Teams share their best design and what they learned.
  • Students complete a quick exit ticket: “Which force of flight is most critical during takeoff and why?”

SAMPLE LESSON EXPERIENCE

The following is an example of a hands-on aviation STEM lesson and represents one of the many learning experiences Paladin can provide.

LEADERSHIP THROUGH AVIATION

How Discipline, Decision-Making, and STEM Create Success

PRESENTED BY PALADIN AVIATION SERVICES LLC

PILOT SESSION OVERVIEW

Paladin Aviation Services offers an introductory Pilot Session designed to inspire students through the real-world principles of aviation, leadership, STEM learning, and personal growth. This engaging experience combines professional aviation experience with educational relevance, giving students direct exposure to how science, discipline, teamwork, and decision-making operate in one of the world’s most demanding professions.

STUDENTS EXPLORE

AVIATION & STEM – Aircraft aerodynamics, navigation, systems, and real-world physics.

  • LEADERSHIP & CHARACTER – Calm decision-making under pressure, responsibility, communication, and teamwork.
  • CAREER PATHWAYS – Aviation careers beyond pilot roles in operations, engineering, logistics, safety, and business.
  • PERSONAL GROWTH – Overcoming obstacles, building discipline, setting high standards, and pursuing ambitious goals.

WHY THIS FITS YOUR SCHOOL

This session aligns with a college-preparatory environment that values leadership development, academic excellence, innovation and curiosity, real-world learning experiences, and student confidence and future readiness.

PILOT SESSION GOAL

To provide a high-value introductory experience that can lead to future workshops, enrichment series, or expanded aviation STEM programming for students.

FUTURE PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES

Paladin can partner with your school to provide ongoing programs aligned with student needs and educational goals.

  • STEM Workshops
  • Aviation Leadership Seminars
  • Career Exploration Series
  • Small-Group Mentoring
  • Custom Enrichment Programming
  • Semester or Summer Programs

Students Will

  • Discover how airplanes fly
  • Experience aviation tools and real-world scenarios
  • Apply science, math, and decision-making
  • Build teamwork and leadership skills
  • Explore aviation and STEM career paths

SAMPLE 60-MINUTE EXPERIENCE

  • Welcome & Crew Briefing
  • Aviation STEM Exploration
  • Interactive Flight Mission
  • Team Decision Challenge
  • Crew Discussion & Leadership Debrief
  • Career Exploration & Closing

Q&A & CAREER PATHWAYS

ENGAGES
STUDENTS

Interactive, aviation-based experiences

SUPPORTS
STEM

Hands-on, standards-aligned content

BUILDS
LEADERSHIP

Teamwork, communication & decision-making

EXPANDS
OPPORTUNITY

Aviation & aerospace career awareness

LET’S SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY PILOT SESSION

Bring an engaging 60-minute aviation STEM experience to your students.
SCHEDULE NOW
Aviation Inspires. Stem Empowers. Leadership Transforms. Aviation Inspires. Stem Empowers. Leadership Transforms.
Aviation Inspires. Stem Empowers. Leadership Transforms. Aviation Inspires. Stem Empowers. Leadership Transforms.