Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
June 25, 2021
Dear National Flight Academy Families, Friends & Alumni,
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and announcing the difficult decision to suspend Summer 2021 programs, our team has remained resilient, and we anticipate Summer 2022 to return at full capacity. At this time, we are working through sponsorship commitments made prior to the pandemic to determine Deployment seat availability. We encourage you to monitor our website and social media accounts periodically as Deployment seats may become available and registration opening is announced.
Although the pandemic has caused changes, we have been pleased to continue our mission of inspiring the next generation through continued educational outreach initiatives:
Take Flight Interactive Competition – The National Flight Academy has partnered with area JROTC groups for Take Flight Interactive, a distance learning opportunity where students participate in flying and execute basic flight skills via Take Flight Interactive software. Students’ skills are registered as a score on the individual student’s digital dashboard. The NFA has outfitted students with a software license and an extreme 3D Pro Stick/Throttle device, allowing them to turn any computer into an operating cockpit.
The NFA has monitored students’ progress and awarded prizes to the classroom with the best scores each week. Remote learning competitions have been organized to award the JRTOC group with the highest level an additional 20 licenses for the next elevated level of Flight Training, giving students an additional 12 months of flight skills. In total, over 140 students participated, logged and flew over 1,500 mission lessons.
Flight Adventure Deck Takes Flight – The Flight Adventure Deck (FAD) hosts a STEM middle school field trip program attracting students from Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties with an annual attendance of 5,000 students. Due to pandemic restrictions on in-person visits to the Museum, FAD took its program on the road and launched FAD Takes Flight. Staff from FAD and the National Flight Academy created hands-on experiences and devices that demonstrated many of the same scientific principles that students encountered during in-person visits to the Museum. FAD hosted programs in 8 local middle schools, serving over 3,000 students.
Flight Adventure Deck Summer Camp Open to Families of DoD ID Card Holders – The Flight Adventure Deck Summer Camp is hosting day camp sessions at the National Naval Aviation Museum for rising 5th – 6th grade students. Access to NAS Pensacola is restricted to Department of Defense (DoD) ID card holders. To register campers, a parent or guardian must have daily access to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola for drop-off and pick-up.
The Flight Adventure Deck Summer Camp is offering one-week sessions beginning the week of June 21 through the week of July 12 (there will be no camp the week of July 4). To register, visit www.NavalAviationMuseum.org/Learn/SummerCamp or call (850) 308-8957.
STARBASE Returning to Naval Air Station Pensacola – The Department of Defense STARBASE program is returning to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola after an eight year absence. STARBASE Pensacola will be located at the National Flight Academy onboard the installation. Currently, there are approximately 70 STARBASE programs nationally and Pensacola will be the fourth program in Florida. The launch of the program at “The Cradle of Naval Aviation” will allow 5th grade students from Title 1 schools in the local communities to have a place to learn STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) related topics starting in January 2022.
Additional information will be available as the program develops throughout this year. The first students are expected to arrive at STARBASE Pensacola in 2022. The DoD’s STARBASE is an educational program sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs. Visit www.dodstarbase.org for more information.
Looking ahead, we encourage families to check back periodically for Summer 2022 updates. Thank you for the many ways you support our work and fuel the passion for aviation. I am counting down the days until we can welcome students back to the National Flight Academy!
In the meantime, we want to stay connected through social media and welcome your participation and feedback as you take on your next aviation adventure!
Sincerely,
RADM Kyle J. Cozad, USN (Ret.)
President and CEO
Naval Aviation Museum Foundation
March 1, 2021
The entire team at the National Flight Academy has been thinking of you, and we hope you are safe and well. Since last summer we have eagerly awaited the 2021 Summer Deployment season. Unfortunately, given the current trends with the American Camp Association, limitations by the U.S. Navy and a lack of capacity to provide appropriately scaled medical support if it were required for symptomatic COVID attendees, we have determined it is in the best interest of students, their families and our staff to once again suspend Summer 2021 NFA programs.
At this time, we don’t know exactly what 2022 programming will look like, however, over the next several months the NFA team will continue planning. We will follow up with you when those decisions are made. We intend to resume NFA Deployments next summer when health conditions across the country are forecast to be much more favorable.
Families who rolled your 2020 credit to 2021, we are happy to continue to hold it for Summer 2022 if your student meets NFA’s age and grade level eligibility at the time of program during 2022. If you are interested in a refund, please contact Jessica Mitchener to complete the refund process.
If you have questions or concerns, please call 850-458-7836 or email Jessica Mitchener or Riannon Boven at the information below.
- Jessica Mitchener, Program Manager
jmitchener@nationalflightacademy.com
- Riannon Boven, Business Development Officer
rboven@navalaviationmuseum.org
We look forward to next summer, and we remain optimistic and realistic knowing that things are changing every day. We appreciate your continued trust in and commitment to the National Flight Academy!
December 21, 2020
The health and safety of the campers and staff of the National Flight Academy remains our highest priority. With the presence of COVID-19 we are taking a hopeful but realistic approach for 2021. We are actively reviewing and updating our health-related plans and procedures to host students next summer, providing a fun, safe and educational environment.
The National Flight Academy expects to release Deployment dates for open registration in March 2021. Should this change, an announcement will be made at the earliest possible opportunity. We will continue to track state and CDC mandates closely, consult with medical professionals and remain fully transparent with families. With these measures in place and our commitment to safety, we look forward to returning to camp in Summer 2021. For more information, please contact us at info@nationalflightacademy.com or 850-458-7836.
June 22, 2020
Due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the National Flight Academy (NFA) has suspended all 2020 summer programming. The decision was made due to several factors, most importantly, the safety of the potential attendees and the staff for the camps.
The uncertain environment related to COVID-19 and the unknown status for the remainder of the year significantly impacts the NFA’s ability to plan, prepare and deliver a fully immersive, overnight education program.
“Suspending all programming was the safest decision since our facility is designed to accommodate 200 students per week plus staff. That includes living onboard in close quarters, eating, sleeping and planning missions in team squadron formats,” said retired Marine Lt. Gen. Duane Thiessen, president of the National Flight Academy. “Families were given the option of refunds or to secure a spot in next year’s programming.”
“The challenge of suspending the 2020 summer programming necessitated a reduction in force. These are difficult decisions, but like many organizations, we continue to be hopeful and are looking forward to next year,” he added.
May 26, 2020
It is with an abundance of caution and sincere regret that all National Flight Academy Summer programming has been cancelled. At NFA, we experience the great reward that comes from investing in the lives of today’s students. We will miss this. However, our number one priority is to provide students a safe environment to learn and to deliver a high-quality program that can change the way they approach the future.
Further information will be provided to parents and guardians of registered students. Please watch your email for details from the NFA Registration team.
As always, we are happy to answer any questions you have. For the fastest response to your questions, please email us at info@nationalflightacademy.com.
We appreciate your patience and understanding. Thank you for your continued support of the National Flight Academy.
