'We build 'em, we fly 'em'

The FAA examiner handed out certificates of achievement to the students involved in working on the aircraft.

The North Idaho High School Aerospace Program, a 501 (c)3 organization with tax exempt status that is funded by private donations and grants, works closely with the school district and sponsors an academic class at the high school, focusing on hands-on airplane building, flight training, and forming relationships among students and the aviation industry. Its mission is “To provide otherwise unavailable skills training and career pathways experience for middle and high school students in North Idaho, including home school students,” according to its website.

The academic class, taught by certificated flight instructor Lena Haug, includes topics such as requirements for the FAA private pilot knowledge test, aircraft systems, fundamentals of flight, navigation, career prospects in the aviation industry in general, and related topics for credit. It is augmented by guest speakers and field trips to aviation museums, air traffic control locations, and aircraft manufacturers. Students not only acquire skills specific to aviation, but also develop the ability to work in a team and naturally evolve into leadership roles, talents that will help in any number of industries in and outside the aviation industry. In the 11 years since its inception 60 students have found employment in the aviation industry as pilots, aircraft mechanics, airline dispatchers, and U.S. Air Force members, among others.

The RV–12 and the Zenith were built over the timespan of four years. Currently about 40 high and middle school students enrolled in the Aerospace Center of Excellence Sandpoint workshop build and repair airplanes under the watchful eyes of experienced, volunteer aircraft builders. Many of the participants are homeschooled and half of them are female. Local pilots offer free rides in their aircraft. The workshop is free and meets year-round on Saturdays at its rented hangars at Sandpoint Airport (there’s pizza for lunch). All of ACES’s aircraft building activities and expenses are covered by NIHSAP, which also helps students with scholarships for flight training at a local flight school.

Following the certification, the aircraft will undergo flight testing by Eric Gray, a former ACES student who was also involved in building the Zenith, and who qualified and was selected to be the test pilot for both aircraft.

With the two aircraft complete, ACES is moving on to building a Jabiru J430.

The ACES program is free for students, but its overhead is about $15,000 per year. Demand for the program is so great that NIHSAP decided to ask for funds to purchase another airplane kit. Please visit the website to donate or learn more.