This year Stellar Academy of Engineering students had the chance to travel to the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, located at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, to tour the F/A-18 Hornet Strike Fighter Aircraft Production Line. The trip was organized by an Advisory Board member, and allowed our students to get a first-hand look at how the jets are maintained and repaired. Students also got to visit the Industrial Manufacturing Division and the materials labs; at each stop our students had the chance to speak with engineers. The students learned how military aircraft are dismantled for repairs, how new parts are created (including via 3D printing), and how engineers and scientists work to diagnose problems with the aircraft. The tour group was limited in size, and there was a great deal of student interest in the trip, so a second trip was scheduled soon after to allow all interested students to take advantage of this awesome opportunity!
