Aviation High Schools Give Students a Flying Start
It’s not every day that high school students get hands-on experience working on real airplanes at their school. These future engineers are learning first-hand what it means to work in the aviation industry – whether engineer, pilot or manager.
Aviation High Schools have a long history in the United States and many continue that amazing legacy, while other schools are forming to become a key part of the future legacy of this type of school.
Located in New York’s Long Island City, Aviation High School is among the oldest and represents the largest public aviation school in the nation. Begun in a small building in New York City more than 84 years ago with three teachers, a clerk and 100 part-time students; it now includes 150 teachers and over 2,000 students.
While possessing a regular high school curriculum that prepares students for college, the school also allows for students to prepare for careers in aviation transport, engineering, manufacturing and management. Students can gain the certificates in Airframe and Power plant that allows them to qualify for Aviation Administration employment after graduation or go on to college to study aviation, aerospace or become a pilot if they so choose.
The choices for a career in aviation are many and often exciting. While your friends can impress you by fixing a bicycle flat tire, you can in turn impress them by fixing a plane engine.
On the ‘Left Coast,’ Oakland Aviation High School opened its doors in 2006 and will see its first class graduate next year. The school provides similar opportunities to learn about aviation, become certified in Airframe or preparing for college.
According to the school’s founding principal Dr. James E. Sulton III the school is a great opportunity for young people who are interested in aircraft and aviation and desire a somewhat different career path than the normal student. The school is growing each year and he believes that students are drawn to the school for several reasons including “their love for aviation,” said Dr. Sulton.
Also important, noted Dr. Sulton was the students “desire to go to college for programs that it provides career and technical education in addition to providing college prep courses,” he added.
Prior to opening the school, he visited the New York school and also sent their team of designers to visit the program as well. The similarities and intentions of the schools not coincidentally mirror each other.
“In the program in New York we train the kids so that they can get the Airframe rating. With the Air Frame rating they can go directly into the Aviation Authority and be hired as an aircraft mechanic and they can go into college to pursue their education. So, they are really leaving here with a mixed bag.”
It was the principal’s work in aviation while attending school to attain his doctorate in education that solidified his idea for an aviation school. He worked full time as an air traffic control specialist while pursuing his studies.
“While in college I found my true passion which was education and I continued my education to get a doctorate in education leadership,” he said. “I had all this aviation knowledge while I was working on my doctorate. I was able to combine my aviation experience with my education and training and found this role.”
Dr. Sulton earned a B.S. in Aerospace Studies and an M.S. in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He recently earned a doctorate degree in educational leadership, administration, and policy from Pepperdine University at the young age of twenty-six.
Within a few years his vision came into being as the Oakland Aviation High School. He and the staff are proud of the work they’ve done and are excited about seeing their first group of students graduate next year go on to colleges or into careers in aviation.
“There’s a lot of excitement in the air about that being the first or inaugural class of high school so everyone is excited. So you talk about symbolism being able to see the first students walk across the stage and collect their diploma before stepping into a life of possibilities is something that really resonates in my mind and heart and something I am really looking forward to.”
Visit the school at www.aviationhighschool.org
Here are a few of the high schools where students are getting their chance to explore career options in aviation:
*Aviation High School – Long Island
45-30 36th Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 361-2032
www.aviationhs.net
*Aviation High School
615 S. 200th St.
Des Moines, WA 98198
(206) 716-0006
www.aviationhs.org
*Oakland Aviation High School
7850 Earhart Road
Oakland, CA 94621-4517
(510) 633-6375
www.aviationhighschool.org