For the first time ever, Gallatin County high school students can start earning credits for a career in aviation during their junior and senior years.
The Gallatin College hosted an open house at Summit Aviation School Wednesday night to answer parent and student questions about the college-level course being offered to high schoolers.
“For any students interested in a career in aviation, this is a great opportunity to explore and see if this is what you want to do,” Ryan Haskins, the Gallatin College Aviation Program Director, told the group.
The course covers the ground-training portion of flight school. Students will spend their time learning in a classroom in the air control building at the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, next to Summit Aviation.
The class will cover topics such as radio communication, learning to file a flight plan, weather-related information and all the other “non-airplane parts,” Haskins said.
The five-credit course is a bargain for high school students. At $247.50, high school students pay half the normal tuition rate.
Students who successfully complete the ground school will earn five credits that can be applied as elective credits if the student opts for another college major. The credits can be applied toward a degree at either Montana State University or Gallatin College.
Amy Williams, the dual credit coordinator at Gallatin College, said the class would likely earn students the cheapest college credits of their academic careers.
“Dual credit is becoming a very popular option for students pursuing a designated career,” Williams said. “It takes a motivated student, but this is a great way for students to maximize their time.”
Gallatin College offers a two-year program for students who wish to obtain a commercial pilot’s license. In addition to the ground training class, students must complete an instrument rating class, a Federal Aviation and Administration test and a minimum numbers of flying hours to become a commercial pilot.
Students need at least 25 lessons, or 35 flying hours to become a pilot. Each lesson costs about $150-200, Summit Aviation Chief Flight Instructor Janine Nunes said.
Gallatin College recently rolled out a host of other dual-credit courses for high school students. In Belgrade, Gallatin College offers three welding courses and one architectural drafting class for dual credit. In dual-credit classes, students must earn a C- or better to earn college credit.
There will be seven spots open for high school students in the aviation ground school class, Haskins said. Students must enroll in the course by July 25. The class will be held Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:10 p.m. starting Aug. 25.
Students and parents at the open house Wednesday were urged to schedule an introductory flight with Summit instructors for $69.
Anyone with questions about a career in aviation or Gallatin College’s commercial pilot program should contact Haskins at ryan.haskins@montana.edu.
Story and photo: http://www.belgrade-news.com
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