James Strout - James is a member of the Civil Air Patrol and has a long time interest in aviation. He hopes to work in a field related to aviation in the future.
Tomas Kennelly shared that this is a capstone to his high school education. He will be a senior next year. He will only be able to work hands on for one year, but believes this experience will help him to use all of the education he has learned to-date.
Solan O'Connor has alway had an interest in NASSA and Space Ex. He is excited to be a part of a program that will build the plane and will get to see it fly for the first time.
THE SKY IS THE LIMIT
From the Lebanon High School's web page about Take Flight
Take Flight is a program, in which a team of students will assemble a two-seat RV-12iS light sport aircraft from kits produced by Van’s Aircraft of Aurora, Ore.
Starting in September, Lebanon’s Take Flight plane-building program will run each school day for a two-hour block in mid-day, prior to the school’s lunch period
It’s expected to take students two school years to complete one aircraft. Following FAA certification, the finished aircraft will then be sold on the open market, with proceeds used to fund the next plane build.
Throughout the build, adult volunteer mentors play a critical role in guiding students through the steps and procedures needed to assemble the aircraft. Volunteers provide needed encouragement, coaching, and help students understand how STEM learning applies to the world beyond the classroom.
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.
“Being a volunteer mentor in the Take Flight plane-building program is a great way for people in the community to bring their knowledge and experience into the school system,” said Bonnie Robinson, curriculum director at Lebanon High School. “If it sounds interesting, we encourage you to attend the open house and find out more.”
Take Flight is a partnership between the Lebanon School District, the non-profit Aviation Museum of N.H., and educational non-profit Tango Flight, which specializes in facilitating student plane-build projects.
Lebanon’s Take Flight program is based on a successful student plane-building program the Aviation Museum started with the Manchester (N.H.) School of Technology in 2019. Manchester students completed their first airplane in 2022 and are currently about half-way through building their second aircraft.
Jeff Sullivan, an aviation instructor and plane-build manager in Manchester, will attend Lebanon’s Open House to answer questions and speak about the project. Several mentors from the Manchester program are also expected to attend.
“For the Take Flight 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,” Sullivan said.
No local school district tax money is used in the plane-build program, which is funded by grants and donations made through the Aviation Museum, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The Aviation Museum is currently running a campaign to raise $250,000 in start-up funds needed to establish the ‘Take Flight’ program at Lebanon High School.
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.
Mentors are regarded as volunteers for the non-profit Aviation Museum of N.H., but must follow all district policies while participating in a build. Volunteer mentors are also subject to criminal background checks similar to all school district volunteers.
“With the Take Flight plane-build program just starting, 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, based in the 1937 art deco passenger terminal at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, is dedicated to preserving the Granite State’s rich aviation past, and also inspiring today’s students to become the aerospace pioneers of tomorrow.
If you plan to attend the open house on Wednesday, May 8, please call (603) 669-4877 and leave a message with your name, or send an e-mail to ldearborn@nhahs.org.
“Volunteering as a plane-build mentor is a rewarding way to give back to the community, and help light the spark of aviation in people young and old,” Rapsis said.
“As a side benefit, volunteers become part of a family that can lead to new friendships and opportunities,” Rapsis said.
The Aviation Museum of N.H., located at 27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, N.H., is a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.
Final announcement made by Bonnie Robinson, she announced that US News and World Report has listed Lebanon High School as #4 in New Hampshire.
From LHS Via Bonnie Robinson:
