Ada aviation program is taking off

Buckle your seat belts, ladies and gentlemen! Ada’s very own aviation program is taking flight. This program has been in the works since the spring and was finally implemented into effect this school year.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association (AOPA) selected Ada City Schools, one of only 29 schools in the nation, as a field test site for aviation curriculum. The course will also serve as an aviation awareness program that offers many opportunities to students such as a “Flight Club,” field trips, contests, and unique learning experiences that cover various aspects of STEM areas such as 3-D printing and drone certification.

Director of Curriculum, Paula Kedy has been there each step of the way to get this program off of the ground. Kedy was involved in the Fly The Ford: Tri-Motor Tour event alongside the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and believes that students should have the ability to learn and “understand the importance of aviation, and in particular, how far flight has come in such a short time.”

“Not only was Ada’s Chapter 1005 of the EAA instrumental in bringing the Ford Tri-Motor to Ada, but the chapter has been the driving force behind helping the Ada City School District develop its new aviation program,” said Kedy. “Because of the EAA, the District has been able to offer new opportunities for students.  We were thrilled that some of our students had the opportunity to volunteer at the Fly the Ford Event.”

Many high school students such as junior, Tanner Gilliam entered and won an essay contest that would allow him to explore aviation and be a part of the Fly the Ford event, receiving a drone and a flight at the Ada Airport.

“I’ve always been interested in Aviation, I’m looking into the Air Force” said Gilliam. “Getting to experience something new and fly in the plane, one of two left flying in the world, was really cool.”

The class, “Introduction to Aviation,” is being offered to 9th grade students at Ada Junior High School. Taught by Andrea Appleman, the course covers 3 main branches of aviation: general, commercial, and military. The students will also be afforded the opportunity to delve into the world of aeronautics with hands on activities such as modeling jet engines and creating hot air balloons.

Appleman said, “We also discuss the history of aviation, the role of women in aviation, technology development, weaponry, etc… It is a very broad and all encompassing curriculum.”

The course will be offered at both the junior high and the high school for the 2018-2019 school year; it is the first class centered around aviation provided for high school credit. For those who have taken part in the introduction class, a second class will be available that discusses becoming a pilot or drone pilot.

“It definitely is an introduction to the second leading industry in Oklahoma,” said Appleman. “This program has been possible and successful based on people passionate about aviation, flying, education, and of course, the students.”