For the first time, high schoolers in Indiana can learn about aviation at the local airport.
Enrollment has already begun for high school aviation courses that will be taught starting in the fall of 2021 at Jasper County Airport (KRZL) in Rensselaer, Indiana.
“For several years, we’ve worked to get local courses added to the high school curriculum,” said Ray Seif, airport manager.
Students from Kankakee Valley High School, Rensselaer Central High School, and surrounding counties are eligible for the classes, as well as home-schooled students. Students must be willing and able to make the daily drive to Jasper County Airport.
The courses qualify for high school credit. Dual credit approval with Ivy Tech is in the works, Seif added.
Courses include Principles of Aviation Management, Private Pilot Theory, and Aviation Safety and Operations.
“We aim to have students come out of the courses with a broad understanding of the aviation industry,” Seif said. “Those interested in pursuing a pilot’s certificate will receive the knowledge needed to complete the private pilot written test. We also plan to have at least one to two hours in an aircraft.”
He adds students also may have the chance to log several hours on a flight simulator.
Students who want to pursue flight training will be encouraged, but it will require paying for additional flight time out of pocket, Seif noted.
“We are exploring potential fundraising and grant opportunities to help offset flight training costs, should students wish to purse a pilot’s certificate,” he said.
I never thought this could be possible, I was always so interested to promote aviation and airports to schools and almost had a chance to do so for my home high school on a career day though it never got passed the planning stage.
I was working for the state of airports as an Airport Operations Controller at the time.
Though our airport had Young Eagles like an ROTC for aviation enthusiasts, however that was an after school airport property curriculum class.
Yes funding is the difficult part as well.
Good to see aviation interest like this finally start to get off the ground.