PENSACOLA, Fla. – Austin Courson, an FFA adviser in the Florida panhandle, said being in FFA has taught him to accept a challenge and to always do his best. Those attributes came in handy recently when he rode along with the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels prior to an air show.

“I was not going to quit even when walking to the aircraft and I got a little nervous,” he explained. “I made a commitment and was going to follow through.”

Courson is also an agricultural education teacher and incoming assistant principal at J.M. Tate High School in Cantonment, Fla. He was nominated to ride along with the Blue Angels by a local business leader. The flight was July 11.

The Blue Angels annually select a key influence rider for their work in the community. Courson was chosen due to his commitment to his students, specifically in agricultural courses and in FFA.

“It was an honor to be selected to take part in their amazing culture of excellence within naval aviators,” Courson noted. “Who does not dream of having the opportunity to fly in a U.S. Navy fighter jet?”

Before the flight, he was trained on the aircraft safety features, and was taught how to breathe correctly during high performance maneuvers. “This was a special flight before the air show. I loved the maneuvers and actually passed out on a turn that pulled 7.75 G’s. It was a complete honor. I have so much respect for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and especially the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.”

Courson is a third-generation FFA member. He was born and raised on a family farm in Pensacola with quarter horses, hay, cattle and timber. While a student at Tate High School, he participated in FFA and the ag education program.

“I chose to be an ag teacher and FFA adviser because I wanted to make the same difference as my FFA advisers made in my life,” Courson said. “I love the opportunity to continue to enrich students’ passion about American agriculture.

“As assistant principal, I will continue to support and enrich agricultural education and FFA programs as an advocate for program development and growth. From time to time, I can still see myself coaching some FFA Career Development Event Teams.”

A couple of his FFA students – the chapter president and vice president – were able to attend the air show to watch the flight.

“They were amazed at the excitement and opportunity to take part in such an amazing opportunity,” he said. “We tell kids to never stop growing, learning, and seeking opportunities. I wanted to show them that you never turn down an opportunity.”

Courson has taught a class, Unmanned Aircraft in Agriculture, at Tate High School. He received a State of Florida Grant through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to teach a course on the specialized agriculture use of unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS. Students in the course learn about remote sensing, GPS technology, precision farming and how agriculture sustainability is linked to U.S. National Security.