High Point, North Carolina: Popular High School Aviation Program Needs Funding

FOX8

8:03 p.m. EDT, September 12, 2011

HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP)—  An popular aviation program at a high school in High Point is trying to apply for grants in order to stay afloat.

The Aviation Academy at Andrews High School will graduate its first class at the end of this school year and is 150 students strong. It is one of only two schools in the state with an aviation program and one of only 50 in the country.

Dr. Cynthia Waters, who runs the program, said it will take about $50,000 a year to keep the program going.

"We don't have any money coming in anymore, so we're self-supporting, mostly through me writing grants," Waters said.

The federal grant that started the program ended last year. That means if any of the equipment breaks, including a $30,000 flight simulator, there is no backup, Waters said.

More than half the students in the program want to become pilots. Junior Kevin Beugger got his pilot's license at 17 and said he actually may be better at flying than driving.

"Well, it's not necessarily me that's the problem driving. Flying you have fewer things to worry about. It's just you," Beugger said.

A handful of other students are close to joining Beugger in getting their private pilot's license as well.

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