The search is on for adult volunteer mentors to aid student plane-building programs in Manchester and Hudson, New Hampshire.
If this sounds like something you’d like to do, then you are invited to attend the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire’s plane-build volunteer mentor open house on Monday, May 22, 2023, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
At the open house, you’ll learn about the museum’s high school aircraft-building program and meet current volunteers.
You’ll also find out how you can help the ongoing build at the Manchester School of Technology, as well as a new plane-building project to start this fall at Alvirne High School in Hudson, according to museum officials.
All are welcome at the open house. Volunteers with experience in airframe and powerplant systems, aerospace engineering, metal-working, manufacturing, assembly, and related fields are encouraged to attend. However, training in basic workshop skills and procedures will be offered, and anyone is encouraged to participate regardless of background.
“For our student plane-building program, the most important quality we’re looking for in volunteer mentors is the readiness to join in an adventure that is making a difference in the lives of area young adults,” said Jeff Rapsis, the Aviation Museum’s executive director.
Launched in 2019, the Aviation Museum’s plane-building program is run in partnership with local high schools and Tango Flight, a Texas-based educational non-profit. Students work alongside adult mentors to assemble a two-seat RV-12iS light sport aircraft, which are produced in kit form by the Van’s Aircraft.
Finished student-built aircraft are then sold on the open market, with proceeds used to pay for kits and materials for the next plane, museum officials explained.
No school district tax money is used in the plane-build programs, which are funded by grants and donations made through the Aviation Museum, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
The program is part of the Aviation Museum’s youth education outreach program, which aims to encourage young people to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace.
In Manchester, the program’s first student-built airplane was completed and first flown in August 2022. The aircraft is currently being used to promote the plane-building program prior to being sold this fall.
The Manchester program’s second airplane is under construction in a dedicated workshop/hangar at Manchester School of Technology.
The Manchester plane-build is under the day-to-day direction of Jeff Sullivan, an MST faculty member and the school’s aviation program instructor. Students work on the aircraft each school day, usually in early afternoon until the end of the school day.
Volunteer mentors participate on a flexible basis and typically visit the workshop once or twice a week. Participation is flexible to meet the schedules of those participating.
In Hudson, Alvirne High School students will begin construction this fall on their own RV-12iS light sport aircraft. The aircraft will be built by students enrolled in the school’s Palmer Career and Technical Education center.
Because the Hudson project is new, the Aviation Museum is seeking a full complement of 12 to 14 adult volunteer mentors to assist in the program, including a senior mentor to act as build manager in the 2023-24 school year.
Students in the Hudson program will work on the plane each day, with some build sessions extending after the final bell.
Volunteer mentors will be assigned to one program to maintain consistency with build procedures and student interaction in either school.
“With a second plane-build program just starting at Alvirne High in Hudson, it’s a great time for new people to get involved. You’ll get the satisfaction of helping kids with a memorable project, and learn a lot yourself,” said Jeff Rapsis, the Aviation Museum’s executive director.
The Aviation Museum is based in the 1937 art deco passenger terminal at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (KMHT).
If you plan to attend the open house, call 603-669-4877 and leave a message with your name, or send an e-mail to [email protected].