Lone Star Flight Museum Hosts 12th Annual Girls in Aviation Day

FLYING Magazine

Aircraft tours, flashlight construction, and drone soccer highlighted the activities at the Lone Star  Flight Museum in Houston on Saturday as the facility commemorated the 12th annual Girls in Aviation Day.

This is the third year that ExxonMobil has supported the event, making it possible for participants to have free access to the museum for a day filled with aviation-inspired curriculum and activities.

According to Jackie Drake, director of communications for the museum, the event drew more than 500 girls and their parents and siblings from across the Lone Star State. The girls watched demonstrations of technology and participated in hands-on activities designed to spark an interest in STEM vocations.

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Among the activities were aircraft tours, where the participants were allowed to climb aboard and talk to the pilots. The girls were also given the opportunity to “fly” the LSFM’s state-of-the-art flight simulators for what museum officials described as an immersive experience well beyond those of traditional video games.

One of the more popular hands-on activities was drone soccer, which showcased technology, precision flying, and teamwork.

Because there is more to aviation than being a pilot—for example, engineering—there was also the opportunity to build a working flashlight.

“As they assembled the components, they learned how power sources, switches, and circuits work together to create light, concepts that are fundamental to the technologies used in aircraft, spacecraft, and countless aerospace systems,” Drake said. “As they watched their flashlights illuminate for the first time, this experience connected STEM to science and technology, engineering and aviation.”

There was also the opportunity to learn how to rivet as participants had a chance to create their own commemorative metal dog tag. Riveting has been used in aircraft construction since the 1930s and remains a critical and marketable skill.

Space Technology

Houston has been part of the space program since the 1960s, and one of the more popular demonstrations featured a modern-day spacesuit.

“ILC Dover Aerospace brought ‘Astro’ to Girls in Aviation Day [GIAD] to demonstrate the mobility of their next-generation spacesuit,” Drake said. “Participants were given a behind-the-scenes look at the technology that helps astronauts work and explore in space. Astro showcased advanced mobility features that allow astronauts to bend, reach, kneel, and perform complex tasks with greater ease while in space.”

The demonstration showed the girls the challenges engineers face when designing protective and user-friendly gear for astronauts.

“This experience was a perfect pairing for Girls in Aviation Day,” Drake said. “It was the epitome of how we connect the dots between careers in aerospace, aviation, engineering, and science and what that looks like as a career.”

The event also included a luncheon with guest speakers from the aerospace industry, ranging from corporate aviation to airline safety, a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, and a spacesuit engineer.

GIAD has always been part college and career fair, and both were well-represented with people on hand to explain the scope of their jobs and how to prepare for a post-secondary education and a career in the aerospace industry.

About the Museum

The Lone Star Flight Museum is located at Ellington Airport (KEFD) in Houston.

The 130,000-square-foot facility also houses the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame and an eclectic collection of historic commercial, general aviation, and military aircraft, many of which are airworthy.

Warbird rides are available, and the museum hosts STEM-focused educational programs year-round through its Aviation Learning Center and Flight Academy.

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