In 2023-24, Mountain Home High School students will be able to take aviation STEM courses in partnership of the Leading Edge Aviation Foundation in Baxter County. Students in grades 9-12 can register Thursday from 10 until 6 with their advisory teachers.
The three-year series of STEM approved courses will allow students a pathway leading to FAA pilot certifications or other aviation careers. One of the pathways will allow students to complete the FAA requirements for a commercial drone operators licenses, while the second follows the knowledge requirements for a private pilots license.
Director of Leading Edge Aviation Foundation Gerald Gage states, Although they are “Bombers”, our Mountain Home students have had no real access to aviation careers whether flying or non-flying. The objective of the Foundation is to provide an “on-ramp” to the many well-paying jobs of the aviation industry. The school board and administration have been most supportive in making this happen beginning next school term.
Gage added for every one flying job, there are hundreds of non-flying jobs open in the aviation industry. Those in highest demand now are air-frame and engine mechanics, avionics and electronics technicians, air traffic controllers, aircraft manufacturing and airport managers.
The Leading Edge Aviation Foundation further supports Bomber students with scholarships for future aviation related education or training, awarding two this year. In January, Emalyn Stephens was awarded the scholarship to attend the National Flight Academy this summer and, last week Hunter Bahr took the annual scholarship for a student going on to study towards an aviation industry career.
Steve Johnson, one of the founders of Leading Edge, notes the Foundation hopes to be successful raising additional funds to award a greater number of scholarships to deserving students who decide to make aviation a part of their lives, no matter what type career that might be.
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