Livingston Academy seeing success after initiating its aviation CTE program three years ago.
Instructor Jason Copeland said the course was made available because of his background in aviation. He said the course gives students an introductory look into the industry.
“Most of them are fascinated in aviation and hadn’t really thought of it as a career path,” Copeland said. “Most everywhere you see in the news there’s a shortage of airline pilots. We can help fill that shortage from rural America.”
Because his students may not have even considered aviation, Copeland said the course goes over the basics of aeronautical philosophy. Copeland said most of the interest has been from Livingston Academy students, but the opportunity is also available to Clay, Picket, and Jackson County students.
Copeland said the class has an average of 15 to 20 students a year. He said four of his students who graduated from the program have gone on to have careers in the aviation industry.
“They’re all excited about aviation,” Copeland said. “As well as I’m excited for them to talk to them about something they might not know a whole lot about.”
