Those behind-the-scenes at Eagle's Wings Flight School (EWFS) look back on a successful 2021 and are excited to continue growing the school.

Chair of the board and flight instructor Joshua Cordery says EWFS is designed to allow Indigenous kids to take to the skies as they learn how to fly an airplane. He says, while they use flight as the means of teaching, they really want the students to improve their self-confidence.

"We teach them how to fly as a way to teach them about themselves, to teach them what they're capable of, and also to teach them what the realm of the possibility is," explains Cordery. "If they believe in themselves and if they reach out for help when necessary, they can actually achieve and understand how big their dreams could and should be."

He adds they've been running the school for two years now, and they've had six flyers per year, along with some students taking online and preparatory classes. He says, once the students get past their nervousness, they realize they could pursue their other goals, whether it be applying for jobs or getting their driver's licence.

"We have one student this year in particular, that they would grab the controls to fly, they'd have a little trepidation in the voice and some legitimate fear," notes Cordery. "Then as the course progressed, the fear went away. Even when the airplane would upset in the wind or something like that, there was a smooth control response."

He explains that in place of that fear was newfound confidence and knowledge when it comes to the situations in the air. As they approach the third year, they hope to have the Southport flight simulator become a permanent part of their course.

To learn more about the Eagle's Wings Flight School, click here.