Students from the Emmanuel Christian Aerospace Institute (ECAI) visited Springfield’s Municipal airport and the construction site of the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE) a week ago Friday. They were able to tour the Beta Aviation Vertiport site and learn about the similarities between electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and the drones that students use in class.
They were also able to fly the simulators for both the Beta Alia aircraft as well as another manufacturer, Joby Aviation’s similar eVTOL aircraft. After this the students were able to tour the advanced unmanned aircraft hangar run by SelecTech and learn more about the future of unmanned aviation in Ohio.
Normally this day would have included intro flights in a Cessna 172 aircraft, but the weather forecast did not allow for it. The classes are hoping to make another trip soon to get their intro flights complete!
