Starting next fall, high school students will learn to fly as part of a new aviation program based in Schenectady County.
Questar III’s aviation program
Questar III BOCES is expanding its high school flight training program in partnership with Capital Region BOCES, Richmor Aviation, Schenectady County Community College and the largest flying club in the Capital Region, Condair Flyers. This partnership is the only one of its kind known to support the development of future aviation professionals.
The new, one-year aviation program will be initially limited to 10 high school seniors.
This Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved program, which results in students earning their private pilot certificate, is guided by a Consultant Committee that is composed of aviation professionals, secondary and post-secondary educators resulting in close alignment with classroom instruction (ground school) and the flying that students do from the airport.
Students will complete the program earning college credits that will exempt them from the initial aviation courses required at several colleges.
For the past 10 years, Questar III has operated a flight training program at Columbia County Airport in Hudson that has successfully prepared students for careers in aviation. While students from Capital Region BOCES have been able to attend the program in the past, this most recent expansion brings the program to a more geographically favorable location for enrollment by students in the Capital Region.
Travis Costello has been teaching the Aviation class at Questar III for two years. He began his pilot training at Richmor Aviation 11 years ago and has been working for Richmor as a flight instructor for five years. He is currently the assistant chief flight instructor for the Columbia County Airport as well as a check airman.
“I remember paying for individual flight lessons when working towards my private pilot certification. This program gives students the ability to focus on learning the material and not worrying about the financial aspect. It promotes a lesson structure which is more continuous which is critical to a new student grasping the required concepts,” said Costello. “This program is a great opportunity for these kids to get ahead. The students really appreciate it and the opportunities it gives them.”
The current students at the program in Columbia County also acknowledged the many benefits the program provides them.
“The class has giving me a feeling of responsibility,” said Robert Bruggemann, a senior from Germantown High School. “It’s a great opportunity to get my private pilot license while in high school and it will lead me to a good future,” he said.
Nick Decker, from Taconic Hills, wanted to be a pilot for as long as he can remember. “This program allowed me to get my private pilot license and gives me a head start on college. I know I have saved a lot of time and money by coming to this program,” he said.
Catskill senior, Keith Gager, appreciates that the class has given him a good understanding of what to expect out of aviation in the future.
“It is great to come to school and fly planes. The small class size is nice and has helped me build solid relationships. I think it’s a great thing that the program is expanding to give more students this option,” said Gager.
