** THE CAMP IS NOW FULLY SUBSCRIBED – ALL NEW APPLICATIONS WILL BE WAITLISTED **

Hartness State Airport, Springfield VT

July 29th – August 2nd, 2024.

2022 Group Photo

About the Event

The Springfield ACE Academy is a week long (Mon-Fri) STEM focused event for students aged 12-16 interested in the field of aviation. Typical activities include:

• Introductions to various aerospace career opportunities – Meet and hear directly from Airline Pilots, Air-traffic controllers, schedulers, mechanics, military aviators, engineers etc.;
• Classroom sessions such as ‘How to get your pilots license’, ‘Aeromedical factors’, ‘Understanding Aerodynamics using paper airplanes’, ‘Aircraft Weight & Balance” etc.;
• Hands on work-shops including “Introduction to Rocket Science” – building and launching model rockets, “Aircraft Construction” – building wooden wing-ribs & sheet metal construction (flush riveting) etc.;
• Simulator Hands-on;
• Day trip to Lebanon Airport, NH – including a Control Tower tour, Meet and greet with Cape Air pilots and staff , TSA agents, Airport management and operations, ‘Fixed Base Operators’ and Maintenance shops. Learn about the many jobs and challenges involved every day in operating a commercial airport.
• Introductory “flight lesson” in gliders. You will receive a log book and this flight time will count towards working to get your license should you want to pursue getting your license;
• Introduction to “Accredited” aviation colleges and programs. Hear from former ACE camp participants who have attended or are currently enrolled in the Vermont Tech Professional Pilot Technology Degree program.
• Introduction to Civil Air patrol cadet program;
• Graduation certificates will be presented to all students by the FAA.

The Academy is a day camp only – no accommodation. A morning snack and lunch are provided each day.

There are many local lodging (inns, motels, campgrounds) and dining opportunities nearby for parents/families traveling from outside the Upper Valley.

Example Schedule

The 2024 schedule is still being developed in conjunction with our volunteers. As an example only, a prior daily schedule is shown below.

Application Process & Costs

The tuition fee is $325.

A $75 deposit is required to reserve a place and will be invoiced via email to the address you provide on the application within 2 days of receipt of your completed application.

The remaining balance of $250 is required upon acceptance to the Academy (typically four to six weeks prior to the camp). An invoice will be emailed to the address you provide on the application form.

Please note that we want to introduce as many youth as possible to aviation careers, therefore in the event that the academy is oversubscribed priority will be given to new attendees, i.e. that have not attended the camp before.

Note: Local media has in prior years reported on the ACE Academy. By completing the application process you give consent for your child to be photographed and/or interviewed.

Contacts for additional information or questions:

Click to Email: Alasdair Crawford (or telephone 603-667-5358)

Click to Email: Larry Perry (or telephone 802-353-8966)

ACE Academy is jointly sponsored and run by New England Soaring assoc. and Vermont Aviation Advisory Council Inc. with much support from the FAA and the Vermont Agency of Transportation.