Students in satellite instructor Sarah Thornton’s aviation class at Zane Trace High School enjoyed an end-of-year field trip to the Pickaway County Airport that was educational and fun.
The tour started with the students meeting Nick Courtright, an IT manager for NetJets, the world’s largest private business jet operator, who talked with them about the different jobs available in the aviation industry. They met a representative from Sundowner Aviation out of Lancaster, Ohio, to learn more about the steps to becoming a private pilot and a Delta Airlines captain who described “the day in the life of an airline pilot.”
The students were able to walk around and speak with pilots who volunteered their time to show the students their planes. Many of the students were able to sit in the planes and get a hands-on feel for the controls and how everything works.
The students also met Cory Black, a Pickaway-Ross teacher who is also a pilot. Mr. Black walked the students through the check-off process to complete before take-off.
The tour ended with the students meeting the founder and staff members of Vitatoe Aviation, which has a hangar at the airport. Students learned that this local company provides engines, airframe and propeller modifications for Cessna aircraft and were able to see multiple planes in various stages of modifications.