CHICAGO, April 29, 2012 - Fifteen cadets from the Air Force Academy High School's AeroStars Apprenticeship, an after school aviation exploration program, recently went on a special O'Hare International Airport airfield tour hosted by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA).

The cadets began with a tour of O'Hare's Airport Maintenance Complex (AMC), where the students saw the impressive fleet of massive equipment that O'Hare staff use to maintain the airfield and keep it safe for travelers, especially during snowy, winter conditions. 

The students also took a ride across the airfield where they had a closeup view of all the activity - airline tugs, food service vehicles and aircraft cruising by only feet away. During a tour of the United Airlines maintenance hangar, the students inspected a 747 aircraft and each got a turn in the cockpit.  They stopped by the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) state-of-the-art "Burn Pit", where firefighters hold regular training exercises, and climbed up through the CDA Operations Tower where the cadets got a bird's-eye, 360-degree view of O'Hare and the City of Chicago.

The day also included a presentation about aviation career opportunities from Air National Guard Col. Duane Hayden, CDA Assistant Commissioner, Airside Operations. 

The Air Force Academy High School's AeroStars Aviation Exploration Apprenticeship works in partnership with After School Matters and the CAP/Tuskegee Airmen summer program, which is also held at O'Hare International Airport. The high school is located at 3630 S. Wells St., Chicago.

For more information, please visit  www.aerostarcorp.com.