Published: October 19, 2009 03:37 pm      

Students enjoying aviation class at SMHS

When you think of a career in the aviation industry, you're likely to picture a pilot preparing to taxi the commercial airliner down the runway. But there are many players involved in getting that plane in the air, and many more career opportunities than commercial airlines for those interested in the Wide Blue Yonder.

"Flying is a small part of the program," said Bo Magnusson, who teaches at Stone Memorial. "All of the Career and Technical Education programs are about providing opportunities and letting kids know what is available."

Dennis Whitson, teacher at Cumberland County High School, said, "We've been working on careers. Memphis is the main hub for Federal Express, so we've talked about all the career opportunities available there."

The classes offer students a chance to explore the aviation field and build on core math and science subjects to show how those concepts are applied in real-life situations.

"You have to constantly make adjustments during a flight because conditions are always changing," Magnusson told his class. "Without the kids even knowing it, we're covering math and science and physics that are critical to helping with their other classes. And, we show them how and why they will use those skills. I try to make math fun for them and give them a practical use of the knowledge they gain in a regular classroom and make it make more sense."

And even if a student doesn't want to enter the aviation field, the course offers a foundation for technical education in the future.

"The technical aspects of this class is right up the alley of students wanting to pursue a technical career," Magnusson said. "It's geared toward post-secondary education."

Hands-on opportunities for learning are available. Both schools have flight simulators available to give students a chance to apply their new-found knowledge.

The software uses real airports and actual flight instruments. It can simulate real winds and fuel consumption. Students can plan a flight and simulate the route to see how well they calculated.

It offers students the chance to pilot a variety of aircraft, from a 747 jet to the original Wright Brothers plane. The students can even take off and land at Crossville Memorial Airport.

Field trips to Crossville Memorial Airport also offer a chance to see aviation professionals in action performing maintenance, refueling aircrafts and flying. The course also covers the history of aviation and the rules and regulations governing air transportation.

Aviation has been available in Crossville and Cumberland County for 75 years, but Whitson is pleased the aviation program is active in the schools.

"It's being introduced at a younger age than ever before," he said.

The program, in only its third year, is already producing results for graduates. Several have gone on to attend aviation maintenance, aeronautical science or aerospace engineering. Former graduate Braddock Tollett is working toward becoming a professional pilot at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL, while Adam Burk and Jackie Brewer are attending Middle Tennessee State University. Burk is studying aeronautical science to become a pilot, while Brewer is working to become an air traffic controller.

Three students from the class of 2009 have entered aviation programs, as well. Lindsay Rector and Neisha Boles are both at Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Tulsa, OK. Rector is studying non-destructive testing for aviation maintenance. Boles, who wants to be a bush pilot in Alaska, is studying aviation maintenance — airframe and powerplant.

"Being a pilot is a small percentage of what goes on. There are so many people doing so many other things, the opportunities are plentiful," Magnusson said.

At CCHS, student Jason Stokes said, "It blows my mind the number of jobs that are based around aviation. It's a one-in-a-million class and Mr. Whitson breaks it down to the core."

Students are lining up for the class. At SMHS, Magnusson had so many students wanting to take the class he gave up his planning period to teach a fourth block of the course. At CCHS, the course is off to a great start after not having it available in recent years.

Whitson said, "The students are interested and they are asking a lot of great questions. That's what I'm happy with."