Student-Developed Flight Simulator Enriches Riverwood Flying Club

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — The Riverwood Flying club has been soaring for more than a decade. Led by faculty sponsor, Alan Sohmer, students in the club learn the basics of aviation training and eventually take “discovery flights” throughout the year. The discovery flights include practicing several maneuvers such as slow flight, steep turns, and power-off stalls and, of course, landings. A typical route is to fly to Athens, over Lake Lanier, and in traffic patterns over Gwinnett Airport.

The 2018-19 Raider Flying Club president is Lucas Daniel. When he realized only two of the 12 eligible club members could afford to participate in the fall semester Gwinnett Airport to Athens flight, Daniel wanted to explore more affordable options to extend flight practice to others. His idea was to develop a flight simulator. With the enthusiasm and support of Sohmer, Daniel applied for and received a PTSA Student Mini-Grant. Built by Daniel and other flying club students, the customized flight simulator is named “202 Lemma Delta.”

The flight simulator is a welcome addition to the club.

"The pilots flew like experienced pilots due to having much practice in the flight simulator,"Sohmer said. "The pilots loved to fly and do steep turns over Lake Lanier.”

In addition to leading the charge to build the flight simulator, Daniel is continuing to fuel his flying passion this summer. He applied and was selected from a competitive pool to attend the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals’ Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academy in July. Ace Academy is a two-week solo flight academy in Peachtree City, and provides middle and high school youth with exposure to opportunities in aerospace and aviation. Daniel also received a $1,000 scholarship to attend the National Flight Academy in Pensacola, Florida, a weeklong STEM/Aviation camp on a Naval Aircraft carrier.

Look for Daniel and other flying Raiders in the skies about Atlanta this coming school year.