For more than 50 years, aviation technology has been an educational cornerstone of the Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus, and now that tradition is being offered to a new generation of students.

Kansas State Polytechnic is introducing Fly K-State Academy — a three-day piloting program, June 27-29, for high school students entering their freshman through senior year who dream about a future in aviation. In this immersive experience, students will complete four missions and earn three and a half hours of flight time while staying overnight on campus and participating in group activities and outings around the city.

The Kansas State Polytechnic Flight Team — which won the prestigious Loening Trophy in 2014 — will host Fly K-State Academy. The team developed the idea after assisting with other aviation programs on campus that only were offered to youth in elementary and middle school. Team members believe a flight program for high school students is essential to their growth as aviators and is a valuable opportunity to experience a college atmosphere.

"As a part of K-State's aviation program, I've witnessed firsthand the passion our faculty and students have for mentoring other pilots and teaching them how to fly," said Austin Bally, a junior in professional pilot at Kansas State Polytechnic and flight team captain. "We want to share that knowledge and enthusiasm with future aviators to help them jumpstart their college career. This academy is an excellent introduction to the aviation industry, rules and regulations, flying techniques and technology, and general curriculum that is studied in our professional pilot degree program."

Fly K-State Academy will educate aspiring pilots on the industry standards required for completing a flight by grouping the training into four different missions. In the first mission, students will participate in pre-flight inspection, airplane takeoff and landing, and traffic patterns; mission two will practice flight maneuvers; the third mission will focus on instrument flight using simulators; and after competing in an E6B challenge, the final mission will culminate in a cross-country flight to Wichita, followed by a celebration lunch at the famed Stearman Field restaurant.

Academy students will stay in campus residence halls during the sessions and will eat in the school cafeteria for an authentic look at college life. They will participate in various activities both in the campus Student Life Center and offsite around Salina. On the final day of the program, parents and guests are invited to a graduation ceremony honoring the students' accomplishments.

The cost of Fly K-State Academy is $800, which includes instruction, meals, snacks, lodging, transportation, a logbook, an E6B computer, plotter, Wichita sectional chart, evening activities and a university polo. Students also will accumulate three and a half hours of flight time and one hour of simulator time.

Registration details and the program schedule can be found at http://polytechnic.k-state.edu/profed/flyacademy or by contacting the office of professional education and outreach toll free at 855-552-0079 or profed@k-state.edu.