English translation by Francesco Cavallin

On Monday, May 15, 2023, a media day was held at the Varese Aeroclub (Venegono Inferiore) for the opening of the Corso di Cultura Aeronautica (Air Culture Course) city of Varese 2023. The event was divided into two distinct moments. At the Leonardo Aircraft facility (formerly Aermacchi), a press conference was held to introduce the course to local media, journalists, and specialized photographers. The event saw the presence of representatives from local and regional institutions, including Attilio Fontana, the President of the Lombardy Region, Salvatore Rosario Pasquariello, the Prefect of Varese, Davide Galimberti, the Mayor of Varese, and Pietro Zanzi, the President of the Aeroclub Ferrarin in Venegono. Also in attendance there were representatives from the Corpi dello Stato (Statals Corps), such as the Sezione Aerea Varese (Air Section) of the Guardia di Finanza (Italian Custom Police) and the Provincial Command of the Carabinieri (Military Police). The welcome speech was given by Engineer Riccardo Busca (Senior Vice President Operations, Procurement & Supply Chain - Aircraft Division • Leonardo), who then handed over the word to Major Pilot Antonio Schifano, Commander of the Gruppo Volo a Vela (GVV or Glider Flying Squadron), for the official presentation of the course. It should be noted that the Gruppo Volo a Vela is under the jurisdiction of the 60° Stormo (Wing) in Guidonia, which is in turn subordinate to the Comando Scuole Aeronautica Militare/3ª Regione Aerea (Italian Air Force Schools Command/3^rd Air Region). Following that, Lieutenant General Silvano Frigerio, as the Commander of the Comando Scuole Aeronautica Militare/3ª Regione Aerea in Bari, addressed the audience, immediately afterward, Colonel Pilot Michele Cesario, as the Commander of the 60° Stormo, concluded the speeches on behalf of the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force). The final part of the conference was dedicated to Professor Debora Lonardi (referent for education in the province of Varese), who emphasized how the Corso di Cultura Aeronautica represents a life and career orientation experience for the participating students.

The second part of the day took place at the Varese Aeroclub, where four S 208M aircraft took about fifty people on flights, including invited guests, journalists, and photographers. The flights lasted about twenty minutes and covered a significant portion of the municipalities surrounding the Venegono airport, extending to the area south of Lake Varese.
Once the flights for the press and guests had finished, the flights for the students began immediately after. Each S 208M aircraft took three students on a flight, with one seated in the front part of the aircraft, where he had the opportunity to experience piloting the aircraft under the careful supervision of a GVV Flight Instructor. Around fifty flights were carried out to accommodate all the 150 students who voluntarily joined the Corso di Cultura Aeronautica.
On Thursday, May 18, the Corso di Cultura Aeronautica of the city of Varese concluded with an award ceremony. Approximately 150 high school students participated in the event as part of the courses dedicated to the Centenary of the Armed Forces. The two-week program included theoretical and practical activities that culminated in the students flying over their city for the first time.
During the first week, the theoretical principles of flight were taught to the students, and an initial merit-based ranking was established. Based on this ranking, it was decided who would have the opportunity to pilot the SIAI S.208 (U-208) aircraft of the 60° Stormo alongside the flight instructors, and who would participate in the flight activity as a passenger.
After a day of familiarization with the aircraft, the practical phase dedicated to flying began. The students had a unique experience with the formation of aircraft over the city of Varese.
The award ceremony took place on Thursday, May 18, at the Salone Estense of the Varese Municipality. The event was attended by Deputy Prefect Dr. Fabio De Fanti, Air Division General Andrea Argieri, Mayor of Varese Dr. Davide Galimberti, Head of the Territorial School Office Dr. Giuseppe Carcano, and President of the Varese Aeroclub Dr. Pietro Zanzi. They witnessed the awards being presented to Nicolò Bardelli, who ranked first, and Margherita Grosso, who ranked second. Both students were from the "Galileo Ferraris" State Scientific High School. The ranking was determined by combining the scores obtained in the theoretical test with the evaluation carried out by the instructors of the 60° Stormo during the flight activities.
The Corso di Cultura Aeronautica will allow the top two students to have an exciting summer camp experience at the Gruppo Volo a Vela of the 60° Stormo. They will have the opportunity to attend a unique stage, where they will take command of the Twin Astir Gliders and explore new forms of flight, such as gliding and aerobatics.
During the award ceremony, Air Division General General Andrea Argieri, who returned to his hometown, greeted and encouraged the students to always aim high. He then handed the floor to Colonel Michele Cesario, Commander of the 60° Stormo, who highlighted the importance of the perfect synergy between the city's schools and the personnel of the Aeronautica Militare, which was crucial for the success of the course. In his address to the young students, he said, "In these few days, some of you have realized a dream, others have discovered a passion. All of you have committed yourselves and helped each other. For us, these are the true values that have led us to celebrate the first hundred years of our Armed Forces. But now, you are our future. If you follow your passions and strive to fulfill your dreams with the commitment and teamwork you have demonstrated, this future will be bright!"
Source: AM