The Center for Aviation Technology and Training (CATT) provides a pathway for STEM education and training in aviation, aerospace, and aeronautics that will lead to career opportunities and financial stability in the future.
The exhibit will make its Pittsburgh region debut in February. It chronicles the story of African Americans who, despite facing racial barriers, attained outstanding achievements in the world of aviation.
Exposure to CATT will lead to pathways in education and job opportunities: to achieve two-year degrees in aviation-related programs from trade schools and colleges such as the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA), Community College of Beaver County (CCBC), Hampton University, and job opportunities and career paths as Professional Pilot, Air Traffic Control, Aerospace Management, Aerospace Maintenance, Aerospace Electronics, and more.
Visitors to CATT will learn about the Tuskegee Airmen by viewing The Black Wings exhibit currently on loan from the Smithsonian Institute. The exhibit, Black Wings: American Dreams of Flight, chronicles the story of African Americans who, despite facing racial barriers, attained remarkable achievements in the world of aviation.
CATT Exhibit Activities
- Cockpit Flight Trainer: A full-scale interactive cockpit with analog and digital controls lets visitors imagine what flying a real plane is like. The analog panel is designed for multi-sensory, tactile interaction with lights, sounds, ratchet mechanisms, toggle switches, buttons, and the wheel. The digital panel includes an authentic Jay Velocity flight simulator by Redbird Flight. The front nosecone of the cockpit features the six aircraft types the Tuskegee Airman were trained to fly. Emblems below them feature their Fighter and Bomber Groups. Filling out the experience are two rows of real airplane seats.
- Things that Fly Praxinoscope: See images of things that fly come to life using this early form of animation. Spin the table top and look in the mirrors: the rapid succession of images creates the illusion of motion. Switch out the custom-made cards to bring other images to life. This open-ended and creative interactive device can be used to support a wide range of exhibit themes and educational activities for various audiences.
- Land the Plane Maze: Inspired by Air Traffic Control Radar, visitors guide the ball to a safe landing, tilting the round table top to avoid the red planes working all the way around to the landing strip. Visitors can gather around and work together or alone to land the plane.
- Imagination Mirrors: Interactive, back-lit mirrors activated by pressure-sensitive mats, exposing images of airplanes. Multi-layered experience with sound and props for extended imaginative play. This activity helps children see themselves in roles in the aviation field.
- Wearable Wings: Children can build and wear a pair of wearable airplane wings or a rocket ship and imagine they are flying through the sky.
- Airport Play Table: Multi-purpose play table with a scaled version of a real airport and a collection of play pieces. Multi-layered experience with sound and props for extended imaginative play. This activity helps children create narratives about what operating an airport is like.
- Outdoor Play Space: In the summer of 2022, the outdoor Playscape will open and include a variety of gross motor and pretend play opportunities, including a rocket ship, drone landing pad, and a real airplane.
Partners include The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Hampton University, and Black Girls Drone.
Free Admission
Every Saturday & Sunday in February
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
MUSEUM CONTACT AND LOCATION
Center For Aviation Technology And Training & Tuskegee Airmen Museum
Khari Hicks
412-342-1284
Sherwood Event Center
400 Sherwood Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15221