K-State Aviation Academy
K-State Aviation Academy
At the K-State Aviation Academy, you will be immersed in a week-long aviation experience. The camp program is led by the aviation and education professionals at Kansas State University and you will work with aviation experts who know the industry and can help you grow and develop in your personal pathway towards an aviation career.
Camp programming will take place at the K-State Salina campus in Salina, Kansas, adjacent to the Salina Regional Airport (SLN). Camp participants must be between 15-17 years of age at the time of the camp.
A highlight of this camp will be flight experience with K-State certified flight instructors. Flight experiences will be contingent upon weather conditions and aircraft availability. It is our intent to make sure camp participants get to fly and we will revise camp programming schedules when possible to do so.
Camp highlights include:
- Real-world aircraft experience: up to three hours of flight time with a K-State certified flight instructor in university aircraft. This may include a cross-country flight experience to an area airfield where campers will have lunch (weather and aircraft availability permitting).
- Ground School Basics: work with K-State aviation faculty and learn aerodynamics and flight theory, federal aviation regulations (FARs), navigation basics, airport operations and communications, and aircraft performance and limitations among many other topics.
- FRASCA flight simulator: learn in the same FRASCA flight simulator that K-State professional pilots use as part of their training.
- Aviation maintenance workshops: professional aviators understand and know the basics about general aircraft maintenance and safety. These workshops will introduce you to the essential knowledge and skills you need to safely fly.
- Career and social activities: campers will have the opportunity to network with industry professionals and discover the variety of pathways to a rewarding aviation career. Evening social activities will be planned for campers to encourage new friendships.
Camp schedule (tentative, subject to change)
Sunday, June 21
- 4-6 p.m. Greet campers at K-State Salina and get dorm room assignment
- 6 p.m. Dinner
- 6:45 p.m. Camp Overview including campus tour
Monday, June 22—Friday, June 26
- Each day campers will have breakfast, lunch and dinner at Centennial Dining, the campus cafeteria.
- Mission activities will be scheduled throughout the day from approximately 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Personal time each day from about 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m., followed by dinner.
- A social activity will be planned each evening—these may take place on the K-State Salina campus or at a Salina entertainment venue (bowling alley, movie theater, etc.)
Saturday, June 27
- Cross-country flight experience to Stearman Field (located south of Benton, Kan.)
- Lunch with all campers and certified flight instructors at Stearman Field Bar & Grill, a restaurant located at the airfield
- Fly back to K-State Salina
- Mid-afternoon closing/graduation ceremony – time TBD (parents encouraged to attend)
Registration Information
Registration is limited to 10 participants.
Registration is coming soon!
Registration deadline: May 15, 2026
Dates: June 21-27, 2026
Age: Camp participants must be 15-17 years old at the time of camp.
Cost: $2,000
- Using the registration link on this page, complete the camp registration form and submit as soon as possible.
- A parent/guardian will be asked to complete a health and medical release as part of the registration process.
- If the minimum number of camp registrations is not met at least four (4) weeks prior to the camp start date, the program will be canceled. You will be notified and payment fully refunded.
- Refund Policy
- Full refunds will be issued to those who cancel their camp registration on or before May 15, 2026.
- The safety of our campers and staff is our highest priority. Because this program includes hands-on aviation activities and flight experiences in a Cessna 172 aircraft, all participants must meet certain baseline health and physical capability requirements to safely participate in the camp environment.
- Campers must be able to independently and safely enter and exit a small aircraft in both normal and emergency situations. Participants should have sufficient mobility, strength, and coordination to move quickly around the aircraft and airfield environment.
- To participate safely in camp activities, campers should be able to:
- Sprint short distances if necessary in an emergency situation.
- Independently enter and exit a Cessna 172 aircraft without assistance.
- Lift and carry at least 40 pounds (such as equipment or flight training materials).
- Maintain full range of motion in their arms and legs sufficient for climbing, stepping onto aircraft steps, fastening restraints, and operating basic aircraft controls under supervision.
- Follow verbal safety instructions quickly and clearly in a potentially noisy environment.
- Sit upright and secured with a seatbelt for the duration of a typical training flight (approximately 30–90 minutes).
- Because aviation activities may involve altitude changes, confined cabin space, and exposure to varying environmental conditions, campers should not have uncontrolled respiratory conditions (such as asthma) or other medical issues that could impair breathing, consciousness, or rapid response in an emergency situation.
- Participants should also:
- Be able to tolerate moderate heat, sun exposure, and outdoor activity on an airport ramp.
- Have sufficient situational awareness and balance to move safely on uneven surfaces such as tarmac, grass areas, and aircraft steps.
- Be able to wear required safety equipment such as aviation headsets and seat restraints.
- We are committed to making our programs as inclusive as possible. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Camp staff will consult with participants and families on a case-by-case basis to determine whether reasonable accommodations can be made while maintaining the safety of all campers and compliance with aviation safety requirements. If you have questions about these requirements or would like to discuss potential accommodations, please contact us prior to registration so we can review your situation together.