Aerospace Education

Lt Col Virginia M. Nelson, Director of Aerospace Education, DSC

“Aerospace" refers to all flying activities, within the Earth's atmosphere and beyond.

“Aerospace Education" is general (not specialized) education concerned with communicating knowledge, skills, and attitudes about aerospace activities and the total impact of air and space vehicles upon society.

Congress realized a strong aerospace capability, in both military and civilian sectors, is essential to the national well-being. They entrusted Civil Air Patrol with the responsibility of informing and educating its own members, as well as the general public, about aerospace issues.  We need to support aerospace education for the general public, and also develop public understanding of the importance of being aerospace-aware and informed.

We are not trying to train professional aviators; we are giving the people of our country knowledge about air and space, and air and space travel.