PILOT SESSION PROPOSAL

A dynamic, hands-on introduction to aviation, STEM, and leaders led by retired airline Captain Tom Harrison

GRADES

5–12

DURATION

45–60 MINUTES (Includes Q&A)

FOCUS

Aviation • STEM • Leadership

SETTING

Classroom • Auditorium • Multi-Purpose Room

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

ENGAGE (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.

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.

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.

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.

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?”

PILOT SESSION PROPOSAL

LEADERSHIP THROUGH AVIATION

How Discipline, Decision-Making, and STEM Create Success

PRESENTED BY PALADIN AVIATION SERVICES LLC

PROPOSAL 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 presentation 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.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • 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.

NEXT-STEP OPPORTUNITIES (OPTIONAL)

  • 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 real aviation tools and scenarios
  • Apply science, math, and decision-making
  • Build teamwork and leadership skills
  • Explore aviation and STEM career paths

SAMPLE SESSION
AGENDA (45–60 MIN)

  • Welcome & Introduction - 5 min
  • The Science of Flight (Lift, Weight, Thrust, Dragi) -10 min
  • Weather: The Pilot's Perspective - 10 min
  • Air Traffic Control Communication - 10 min
  • Team Challenge: Decisions in Flight - 10 min
  • Q&A & Career Pathways - 5-10 min

Q&A & Career Pathways — 5–10 min

ENGAGES
STUDENTS

Real-world aviation experiences

SUPPORTS
STEM

Hands-on, standards-aligned content

BUILDS
LEADERSHIP

Teamwork & decision-making

EXPANDS
OPPORTUNITY

Aviation & aerospace career awareness

LET’S SCHEDULE YOUR PILOT SESSION

Bring the excitement of aviation 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.