Airplanes and Helicopters!

: My Future Aviator

When it comes to planning an exciting week of school, there are benefits to living on a Naval Air Base. This weeks theme is “Airplanes and Helicopters.” We’ve read books about airplanes, discussed their uses and why people fly, and read stories about the history of aircraft. We’ve done aviation-related crafts and colored lots of pictures. What better way to learn about aircraft than to get up close and personal with some retired Naval and Marine airplanes and helicopters?

Near the enterance of NAS Jacksonville, there is a great static airplane park, with lots of stationary, historic aircraft on display and paved walking trails between them. It’s located near the runways, so one is able to enjoy watching working aircraft flying, taking off, and landing as well. This alone keeps the kids entertained for quite a while. After a few hours of school, we got out to stretch our legs and enjoy our beautiful base. We discussed different types of planes throughout history and retold the story of the Wright brothers. Alex read us each informative plaque and marveled over the size of each aircraft. The kids loved running around and closely examining the planes. I enjoyed watching them learn.

We see this park nearly every day as we drive by, but that doesn’t do it justice. You’ve really got to get up next to these beasts to see how amazing (and huge!) they really are.