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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 23, 2016)
30 Wednesday, November 23, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon AVIATION: Career opportunities abound in field of flight Continued from page 3 aviation, including the cost of flight training, a sign- ing bonus, and high starting salaries. The message delivered at the symposium was two- fold: the advantages of hav- ing an aviation program at the high school level, and how to develop one. As the educational system in the U.S. is struggling to be com- petitive in S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, avi- ation programs are becoming a conduit for interdisciplin- ary study of sciences and math. Many high schools are trying to implement an avia- tion program, not only to pre- pare students to fill the loom- ing shortage in the aviation industry, but also to connect the dots as a STEM program. “It’s very difficult to teach today’s students some- thing they don’t see a need to learn,” notes Sheryl Yeager, a teacher for 23 years. “We teach classes like math and physics separately, with no correlation between them. Millennials don’t learn in this compartmentalized way. But when they become interested in something like flying, and even passionate about it, then they suddenly WANT to learn the physics of flight.” This is nothing new to SHS, now in its fourth year offering flight science. Beginning with seven stu- dents, it now consists of 38 students enrolled in two full classes. The attraction to SHS is becoming evident as families with kids seeking an aviation education are mov- ing to Sisters to take advan- tage of the offering. There are also several students from outside the Sisters School District who have transferred in to take the courses. Another aspect of the avi- ation program that is unique to Sisters is the fact that the classes are taught by a state- licensed teacher who is also an FAA certificated flight instructor (CFI). “Having Sheryl Yeager as a teacher and CFI is a huge benefit to the avia- tion program at Sisters High School,” said Julie Benson of Sisters Eagle Airport. “We are incredibly lucky to have her here, with her combina- tion of talents and passion for aviation.” While many high schools are initiating an aviation class, the big hurdle is stu- dents getting actual flight instruction. While some schools have acquired a flight simulator, there were only three high schools rep- resented at the symposium that have access to a real air- plane for training. One high school in Michigan, and one in New Mexico have each purchased their own airplane for students to learn to fly. Sisters students get flight instruction in a Cessna 172 through a unique partnership with Outlaw Aviation, a pri- vately owned trainer plane at the Sisters Airport. Outlaw Aviation awards flight schol- arships to SHS students who have the dedication and PHOTO PROVIDED Flight Science teacher Sheryl Yeager, with Sisters Eagle Airport owners Julie and Benny Benson in Portland. determination to earn their wings. One area of discussion at the symposium was articulat- ing college credit for avia- tion courses taken in high school. Colleges that offer degrees in aviation are reluc- tant to give credit for high school courses, since there is currently no industry stan- dard for the contents of cur- riculum. SHS is again on the forefront of solving this dilemma, as school admin- istration is working with the aviation department at Central Oregon Community College to align the curricu- lum taught at SHS for credit at COCC. As coursework at SHS is aligned with the content of courses taught at COCC, students will be given col- lege credit for classes taken in high school. This credit could then be taken toward a degree in aviation at COCC, or transferred to another university. “For students pursuing a career as a pilot, combined credit could potentially save them $10,000 in deferred tuition, and significantly more if they earn their pri- vate pilot certificate in high school,” said Bob Ramsey, who procures funds for avia- tion scholarships at COCC. One area of the aviation industry that SHS does not have in place is a “build” pro- gram. Several high schools across the country are devel- oping vocational and career- skills programs, using an airplane as the project focus. Since SHS does not have the shop facilities required for a project of this magnitude, the Sisters airport is explor- ing possible options to host a shop where an aircraft build program could be started in the near future. The SHS program stands alone in one major accom- plishment: they are graduat- ing licensed pilots. With the first student achieving her private pilot certificate as a senior last year, the path was paved for more to fol- low. Two more students have passed their FAA pri- vate pilot written exam, and will soon solo in the Outlaw Aviation plane. There are currently six students actively pursuing their pri- vate pilot certificates before they graduate from SHS. Although SHS is a small school, the dedication of students, teachers, school administrators, and com- munity members who have united their passion for edu- cation and aviation, have cre- ated a unique opportunity for kids to discover that the sky is NOT the limit. Sign up for the Ray’s All Access Community Rewards Program and help support Furry Friends Foundation It’s free and we get 1% back on your purchases. It’s an easy and great way to donate! With your Access Rewards account information in hand (the number is on the back of your card), you can call, email or visit Ray’s to connect to Furry Friends Foundation. • Call 541-412-0005 • Email AllAccess@ckmarket.com • Visit the Ray’s Customer Service Counter and ask to connect your account number to Furry Friends for the All Access Community Rewards Program. Shop locally, donate locally! Thank you for your support. www.FurryFriendsFoundation.org Sisters Pet Food Bank • Spay/Neuter Sponsorships • Emergency Medical Assistance
