Student Resources for Aviation and Aerospace

There are numerous sites on the Internet where students can receive more information on aviation and aerospace. Below are links to online games and learning activities to foster an interest in flight for students of all ages.

Pilots and air traffic controllers around the world use a special alphabet in order to communicate information clearly and effectively. The Aviation Alphabet was developed out of a need for safety and to avoid confusion.

Aviation Alphabet​ ​ ​ ​ ​
​A= Alph​a
​G= Golf​M= Mike​S= Sierra​Y= Yankee
​B= Bravo​H= Hotel​N= November​T= Tango​Z= Zulu
​C= Charlie​I= India​O= Oscar​U= Uniform​
​D= Delta​J= Juliet​P= Papa​V= Victor​
​E= Echo​K= Kilo​Q= Quebec​W= Whiskey​
​F= Foxtrot​L= Lima​R= Romeo​X= X-Ray​

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  • Aviation History Online Museum
    The Aviation History Museum provides articles and videos on a wide range of topics including models, history, aircraft, engines, airmen and theory of flight.
  • HistoryNet.com – Aviation History 
    HistoryNet.com’s aviation section contains features, photo galleries, and articles on aviation published in Aviation History magazine and other journals.
  • How Stuff Works – Flight
    How Stuff Works has collected a series of flight articles to explore classic airplanes, modern jet mechanics and aircraft operations, and current scientific questions related to aviation.
  • NASA: For Students
    The NASA: For Students web site provides information regarding space and astronautics for students in grades K-4, 5-8 and 9-12. The Kids Club section is a place to play games and learn about NASA. Other parts of the web page offer fun resources for kids and information about NASA’s youth programs.
  • NASA – Timelines and History
    The NASA History Timelines webpage contains a number of overview resources on important events in NASA history as well as detailed chronologies about aeronautics.  Helpful resources include Defining Events in NASA History and special chronologies about space exploration and NASA missions.
  • Ninety-Nines: Women in Aviation History
    The Ninety-Nines: Women in Aviation History site provides information to users on a long list of women who have conquered the field of aviation. Not only does this site present information on individual women in aviation, it also presents general information about women in air traffic control and air racing.
  • Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
    The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum provides a variety of online activities to increase your knowledge in many aspects of aviation. This site also provides an overview of the exhibits found at the museum.

Games and Learning Activities

  • Air Traffic Control Simulator
    This online game allows students to get a glimpse of air traffic controlling while practicing math skills. The game, which is provided by NASA, includes a video and computer-based airplane problems.
  • Aviation Hall of Fame of Wisconsin
    The Aviation Hall of Fame of Wisconsin has a Kid’s Hangar on its website, which has missions for kids of all ages to complete as a junior pilot, flight leader, or a squadron leader. This site also provides a “Tool Crib” with additional resources.​
  • Smart Skies
    This NASA-developed middle school math program teaches students about the challenges air traffic controllers encounter. Website includes link to YouTube video and downloadable App.
  • Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum – How Do Things Fly? webpage
    This interactive site is a companion to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s physical exhibition explaining principles of flight. The website includes short videos, activities, and the Ask an Explainer section to submit flight questions to museum curators and educators.