Date of Defense

4-16-2024

Date of Graduation

12-2024

Department

Aviation

First Advisor

Gil Sinclair

Second Advisor

Tom Thinnes

Abstract

This creative, honor’s thesis uses the idea of creating a children’s picture book to help build interest in aviation in the younger generation as well as bolster the reputation of Western Michigan University’s aviation program. This book will focus on basic elements regarding how airplanes fly and other elements of aviation in a fun way that children—and adults—will be able to understand. Characters and locations will mainly be at WMU’s College of Aviation in Battle Creek and will include characterizations of the college’s planes. The goal is to bring an interest to young children who visit the college, either on a trip or accompanying their parents or sibling while on a tour, and to allow them to bring that interest home with them. Not only will it possibly light a potential interest in aviation but also an interest in Western’s aviation program as well.

Charlie Takes Flight! at Western Michigan University is an aviation children’s picture book that follows Charlie the Cirrus, a new airplane at the Western Michigan University College of Aviation, who learns how to fly from his instructor, Sierra the Seminole. The book begins with a blank, white airplane flying into the College of Aviation with Captain Dave flying it. He steps out to speak with Justin, one of the maintenance workers at the college about preparing the aircraft to fly. After the aircraft is painted in brown and gold and receives the university’s logo, the plane magically comes to life! They bring the new aircraft to the hangar where Sierra greets him. They speak and figure out a name for him using the ICAO alphabet before going to sleep for the night. In the morning, they begin their first lesson on the four forces of flight. After a presentation on each force and how they work, Sierra takes Charlie out for a demonstration, showing him how taxiing works and how the four forces of flight all work together as she flies a traffic pattern. Afterwards, she has Charlie join her in his first flight so that he too can experience flying using the four forces. They continue flying for the rest of the day, but before they stop, Sierra tells Charlie she has one last thing for him that day: his first solo; it is time for Charlie to finally fly on his own using all that she has taught him. Of course, Charlie was nervous, but his instructor’s continued confidence in him encouraged him. He remembered all that that Sierra told him that day as he performed his traffic pattern before coming to the scariest part—the landing. Still with the four forces of flight in mind, he landed safely and made his way back to his instructor. They continue debriefing as they make their way to the hangar, excited for the next lesson to come.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Restricted

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