“CLEARED FOR  TAKE-OFF”

An Aviation Education Camp

 History| Philosophy-Facilities-Staff| Dailyschedule| Student Eligibility | Fees| 2009 Camp Dates | Photos

2008Brochures are available thruany of these contacts -

Address - Up, Up,And Away In Hunterdon, Inc.

63 Airport Road

Pittstown, NJ  08867

Phone –908.735.0870

Fax –908.735.0870

Email – upupaway@embarqmail.com

 

History

The first Aviation Education program for children wasoffered at Alexandria Field airport in the summer of 2001. Linda Fritsche Castner part-owner and operator of the field was contactedby a mother who was looking for a summer program for her son who very muchwanted to become a professional pilot.  The“Cleared for Take-off” aviation education program was born.

Each year since the first camp the number of campers has grown. In 2003 there were enough students to offer two sessions with a maximumof 12 per session.  Littleadvertising was done, most campers came from word-of-mouth through past campersor children of pilots on the field.  TodayMs. Castner promotes the program by giving lectures at local schools on severalaviation based topics: 100 Years of Flight, The Aerodynamics of Leadership, andWomen, Self-confidence and Leadership: Looking through a new lens (based onresearch she has done on why more women don’t learn to fly).

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Philosophy/Facilities/Staff

At Alexandria Field (N85) the emphasis has always been ongrowing new pilots.  Since WilliamFritsche carved the first runway out of a cornfield in 1944, Alexandria Fieldhas focused on teaching people to fly for both career opportunities and thefreedom of personal flying.

Bill’s daughter, Linda Fritsche Castner manages the airport today with herhusband Corky and brother Bill and is the President of Up, Up, And Away InHunterdon, Inc. the corporation which developed the “Cleared for Take-off”camp curriculum.

Linda - Camp Director

Ms. Castner is a licensed Private Pilot, and AdvancedGround Instructor (AGI), and a second-generation airport owner/operator. She received her formal education as a teacher, with a B.S. in Health andPhysical Education from the University of Bridgeport, and a Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Smith College.  While Linda is the primary campinstructor she utilizes Certified Flight Instructors (CFI) from N85’s flightschool and several highly motivated aircraft owners who hangar their planes onthe field for added expertise with hands-on activities.

While the overall purpose of the Cleared for Take-off program is in providingparticipants with opportunities to explore the wide variety of content areasrequired to become a pilot; it is also interested in providing a personal growthexperience.  Activities arestructured to encourage the development of confidence, leadership, and theability to contribute to a group learning experience.

Although the day camp program is designed for maximumlearning to take place there is a definite emphasis placed on each participanthaving FUN.  As one student put it,“This place is like taking the ‘behind the scene tour’ at Sea World. We are at an airport and we get to see everything right there.

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DAILYSCHEDULE

8 AM                          Arrive

8-10                            Aviation Education Activities

10 AM                        Snack Break (we break for snacks supplied by parents)

10:15 – 12                  Aviation Education Activities

12 NOON                   Camp Ends 

Blake enjoys a flight lesson

**Following camp flight lessons are conducted in 30 minutetime slots.  Students sign up for thelessons separately from the camp registration. The flight lessons are not mandatory they are an additional opportunityand most students take two lessons during the week. The current rate for a Cessna 152 (2 seat training aircraft) withinstructor is an additional cost.

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StudentEligibility

Students must have completed 4th grade and notentered high school yet, usually this means the age of the camper is between 11and 13 years.  Sometimes we get 10and 14 year olds however they still must meet the grade requirements.

A Waiver and General Release for the Cleared for Take-off program must be onfile the first day of the camp.  Aform is contained in the camp brochure.

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Fees

A $100 Deposit check (non-refundable) should accompany theapplication (in camp brochure).  Itis understood that there are no refunds due to illness, absences or withdrawals. A balance of $125 is due the first day of camp for a total fee of $225. Checks are made payable to: Up, Up, And Away In Hunterdon, Inc. Camp will not take place with less than 8 participants per session. Your deposit will be returned if less than 8 participants register.

**Flight Instruction is an additional fee and is paid toAlexandria Field, Inc. the operators of the on site flight school at the timethe lesson is given.  The charge willbe whatever the current rates are for aircraft and instruction. At the time of this writing (1/05) the fee for a 30 minute lesson is$44.84 in the Cessna 152, additionally the student usually wants to buy alogbook at this time which runs about $8.00.

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2009Camp Dates

July 13th - 17th

Each session must have a minimum of 8 participants to beheld.

  

Call 908-735-0870 if interested in schedulinga lecture at your child's school

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CAMP PHOTOS

 

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