The San Diego Air & Space Museum is offering three introductory courses in aerospace fields for students between 15-18 years old. Each course will provide foundational workforce training in STEM concepts and aeronautics. All classes will be held at the Museum’s Gillespie Field Annex at 335 Kenney Street, El Cajon, CA 92020.

The three courses include Aerospace Engineering in the Winter of 2024 (November 16 - December 21), Airframe Design and Fabrication in the Spring of 2025 (March 8 – April 6), and Basic Piloting in the Summer of 2025 (July 12 to August 16). The Winter and Spring courses will be offered on consecutive Saturdays, 2 hours per day, during a six-week program from 9-11 AM. The Summer course is a one-day class lasting 3 hours, offered on eight consecutive Saturdays beginning on July 12, 2025, and ending on August 16, 2025, from 9 AM to 12 PM.

ENROLL NOW!

Aerospace Engineering, Winter 2025 ( February 1 - March 8, Saturdays Only)

Ready to take off into the world of aerospace? This dynamic course is your gateway to exploring the exciting principles of flight, aerodynamic forces, and the magic of stability and control—all presented in a simple, easy-to-understand way with minimal math.

Students participate in a hands-on activity building model airplanes while focusing on the concepts of aircraft design, construction, and flight.

By the end of this six-session journey, you’ll not only have a solid grasp of key physics concepts at the heart of aerospace but also the confidence to think like an engineer. Each two-hour session builds on the last, guiding you from understanding air and airflow to the thrill of supersonic speeds and unmanned systems.

Course Flight Plan:
✈️ Session 1: Air, Airflow, Airfoils
✈️ Session 2: Deep Dive into Airfoils
✈️ Session 3: Power Up with Propulsion
✈️ Session 4: Takeoff, Level Flight, and Landing
✈️ Session 5: The Art of Gliding and Soaring
✈️ Session 6: Explore Transonic, Supersonic, and Unmanned Systems

Class Specs:
✈️ Minimum 10, Maximum 25 Students
✈️ Perfect for aspiring engineers and anyone who dreams of flying high!

ENROLL NOW!

Airframe Design and Fabrication, Spring 2025 (March 15 – April 19, Saturdays Only)

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into the exciting world of aircraft design! Introduction to Airframe Design and Fabrication focuses on the practical skills and engineering principles behind aircraft structures.

This course emphasizes hands-on learning through engaging projects. You’ll:

✈️ Fabricate wood aircraft ribs
✈️ Install fabric coverings
✈️ Work with metal materials to understand their role in airframe construction

Along the way, you’ll explore key concepts like aerodynamics, material technology, and manufacturing methods, all with a focus on weight, strength, reliability, and minimizing drag. By the end of the course, you’ll have gained valuable experience and a solid understanding of the fundamentals of aircraft design.

Course Details:
✈️ Saturdays Only: March 15 – April 19, 2025
✈️ Minimum 10, Maximum 20 students
✈️ Open Enrollment Begins January 2025

If you’re eager to learn by doing, this course is the perfect opportunity to take your interest in aviation to the next level!

Open Enrollment Begins January 2025!

Basic Piloting, Summer 2025 (July 12th to August 16, Saturdays Only)

Basic Piloting: Explore the Foundations of Aviation

Take your first step into the world of aviation with Basic Piloting, an engaging introduction to the fundamentals of flying! This course provides an in-depth look at essential piloting concepts, including aircraft systems, instruments, communication, performance, and navigation.

Get hands-on experience as you:
✈️ Explore aircraft instruments and gauges
✈️ Learn charting and navigation basics
✈️ Practice radio communication with Air Traffic Control and other aircraft

This summer, we’re offering six identical Saturday sessions to fit your schedule. Each three-hour class is divided into two parts: two hours of classroom instruction and interactive activities, followed by an hour touring airplanes at the Museum’s Gillespie Hangar and observing live take-offs and landings at the adjacent Gillespie Field Airport runway.

Choose one of the following class dates:

• Saturday, July 12, 2025
• Saturday, July 19, 2025
• Saturday, July 26, 2025
• Saturday, August 2, 2025
• Saturday, August 9, 2025
• Saturday, August 16, 2025

Whether you’re curious about aviation or considering a career in the field, this course is the perfect introduction to the essentials of flight.

Course Details:
✈️ Saturdays Only (Choose One): July 12 – August 16, 2025
✈️ Minimum 10, Maximum 20 students per session
✈️ Open Enrollment Starts May 2025

Don’t miss your chance to explore the exciting world of aviation—register for your preferred date today!

Open Enrollment Begins January 2025!

Enrollment Fees:

Aerospace Engineering, $150 for six sessions (25 student limit)

Airframe Design and Fabrication, $150 for six sessions (20 student limit)

Basic Piloting, $30 for a 3-hour class. 6 classes are available between July and August 2025. (30 student limit per class)

Scholarships are available for need-based participants. For more information, contact Katrina Pescador at kpescador@sdasm.org.