Pacific Airport Services vice president for technical operations Leon Mattern assisted the students and their instructor, John Raulerson, throughout the tour.
Raulerson told Variety that they were “cleared” by the Commonwealth Ports Authority security.
Mattern led them through the jet way into the cockpit of the aircraft. Mattern was able to fit three students at a time in the small restricted space.
While in the cockpit, Mattern explained how avionics worked in conjunction with the flight controls. The students were also introduced to the flight crew of Fly Guam.
The captain said he was impressed with the amount of knowledge the Aeronautical Dolphins have acquired while in Raulerson’s class and would like to visit the students when the aircraft returns to Saipan in the future.
Raulerson would like to give a special thank you to the following: Leon Mattern, Pacific Airport Services; Edward Guerrero, executive director of the Commonwealth Ports Authority; Dennis Cruz, manager of Freedom Air; Marylynn Hattig, general manager of Fly Guam; and Craig Garrison, principal of Marianas High School.
“The Aeronautical Dolphins are indeed going where no aviation class has gone before and our journey is a little less restrictive when community members are supportive,” Raulerson said.
