Aeronautics Courses Could Take Flight At WPHS
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WHEELING - Ohio County Schools administrators are hoping to get an aeronautics class at Wheeling Park High School off the ground in time for the next school year.
The school district would be working in concert with West Liberty University, Marshall University and their Bill Noe Flight School to provide the completer course. It is expected to be offered to juniors and seniors, according to Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones.
"We are in the very beginning stages of exploring if this is a program we want to bring to Ohio County Schools," he said. "We met with officials from West Liberty and Marshall universities (on Tuesday.)"
The West Virginia Department of Education already has established a program for aeronautics courses which could lead to careers in aviation - either as a pilot, an airplane mechanic or as an air traffic control.
Berkeley County Schools in the eastern panhandle already has started an aeronautics program, and Jones reports Ohio County administrators plan to visit there sometime in early November.
"They are offering it through a partnership with Marshall," he explained. "We will go visit their facility."
Jones reports that data shows the number of aeronautics jobs doubling in the coming years.
"For mechanics and pilots, there is going to be a good job market," he said.
WPHS students would have to work with WLU to take classes and obtain any eventual certifications. Additional classes would then be available for them at WLU after graduating high school.
A flight simulator costs about $500,000, according to Jones. WLU already has one on campus.
"We're hearing that some kids are flying before they get their drivers licenses and are wanting to be a pilot down the road," Jones said.
He explained the school district's goal in career tech is to grow existing programs and bring new cutting-edge programs to the high school not currently offered. Ohio County Schools already started a building automation program, with plans for cyber security and medical education programs.