By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

Those interested in learning about the basics of taking to the skies in an airplane will have a chance to do so next month, as the Shelby County Airport is set to host a four-week introduction to flying course.

The airport’s introduction to flying class will be held on four Saturdays in September: Sept. 1, Sept. 8, Sept. 15 and Sept. 22 from 9-11 a.m. in the conference room at the airport off Interstate 65 near the Alabaster-Calera line.

The course will cover the following topics:

 

-Parts of an airplane

-Airplane controls

-What makes an airplane fly

-Aircraft instruments

-Airplane communications

-Aviation weather

-Navigation/aeronautical chart reading

-Runway headings and markings

-GPS and transponders

-Pilot license requirements

 

The cost of the four-week program is $40, and includes many handouts, according to event organizers. At the end of the course, every student will be taken for a flight with local pilot Johnny Ward to get a real-world look at what they learned during the course.

Those interested in taking part in the program should contact Ward at johnnyward1@yahoo.com or call 914-5984.