Aviation Science teacher Michael Lee and Head of School Pieter Mulder stand in front of the newly named Michael Lee Flight Simulator.
On Monday, Berkshire’s flight simulator was named in honor of aviation science teacher Michael Lee during All-School Meeting.
Mr. Lee, who is the parent of four Bears (Chris ’94, Josh ‘06, Jack ’10, Shannon ‘19) and an experienced pilot, helped bring back Berkshire’s Education With Wings program, which began in 1943 as a way for students to become seasoned pilots to aid the war effort. Today, the aviation science class prepares students to take the FAA Knowledge Exam for Private Pilot, while spending Sunday afternoons in the spring training with instructors at the Great Barrington airport.
The Michael Lee Flight Simulator is an FAA-approved flight training device that allows students to hone their skills on campus before getting in an aircraft.
“I love working with the students in my class," Lee said after learning of the honor. "It lights up my life to see that smile on your face when someone first takes off in an airplane, and the biggest smile when they land.”