Students at Porter Traditional School are learning how airplanes work through a hands-on aviation club that combines science, history, and technology. 

Juan Urista, an aviation instructor and founder of Aviation Labs, leads the club. Aviation Labs promotes aviation and STEM interest through hands-on activities, mobile flight simulation, test support, and workshops for K–12 students in Northern Virginia. Urista manages both the club and drone team at no cost to students, aiming to teach basic aviation knowledge rather than pilot training. 

“It’s a basic aviation literacy program,” Urista shared. “Our goal is to introduce students to aviation, not to turn them into seasoned pilots.”  

Students learn how aviation connects to science, careers, and the economy. Lessons focus on how planes fly and why aviation remains important in everyday life.  

Younger students build hands-on projects such as gliders and small helicopters made from simple materials. Older students use flight simulators and study aerodynamics. Urista explains that the projects provide students with something they can explore beyond the classroom. 

The club uses Microsoft Flight Simulator X to help students see how planes move and respond during flight. Urista says the simulator fits the students’ skill level and helps bring lessons to life. 

Seventh grader Tanner shared that the simulator is his favorite part of the club. 

“It helps me understand the plane more than just hearing about it,” he explained. “I know which buttons do what.” 

Another seventh grader, Douglas, shared that the lessons connect closely to what he learns in science class. 

“We learned about the parts of the plane,” Douglas said. “We also learned about Newton’s laws.” 

Urista believes exposing students to aviation at a young age can help shape their future interests and career paths. 

“The earlier you introduce these ideas, the more you can shape outcomes,” he concluded. 

For students at Porter Traditional, the aviation club offers a new way to understand science — and the world above them.