Twelve students from the Aeronautical Initiation Certificate (BIA) Section 4 and 3 of Michel-Bousquier College in Quillan, accompanied by their physics teacher Mathieu Ambid, welcomed a team from the Planeurs de Puivert Club to discover a flight simulator. , equipment and safety rules of the airport and take your first flight.
The BIA is a national educational diploma that consists of five tests that include knowledge of meteorology, aerodynamics, aircraft construction, air navigation, safety and English, which is optional. During this training, students will visit the Aéroscopia and Ailes Aériens de Toulouse museum as well as the Puivert Glider Club, equipped with approximately ten gliders and the same number of volunteer instructor pilots. Under the supervision of a pilot, each student experienced taking off with an electric winch, flying depending on the current wind and landing at a speed of almost 90 km/h, while driving the stern of a two-seater glider.
Yanis, a college student who wants to become an aeronautical engineer, testifies: “I was surprised because the glider took off quickly and I felt pressure in my ears, then some air vents caused turbulence. But I really enjoyed gliding for 20 minutes and took some photos and videos of Puivert, Lake Montbel and the Pyrenees chain.” . We made a big turn to land and were approaching the descent over the village. I was surprised by the landing speed, but the pressure in my ears was drastically relieved. I’m so happy that I’ve already called my parents to arrange new flights.”
The day was made possible thanks to the investment of the club, which received a grant from the Federation of Gliders and the college, which benefited from a grant from the Academy of Montpellier and a small participation of families.