GHS class soars to new heights

By GINA KINSLOW
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW May 06, 2008 05:46 pm

— Tana Smith wasn’t nervous about flying for the first time.
“I’m excited,” said the Glasgow High School junior.
Smith was one of four GHS students who not only got to ride in a Skyhawk II from Glasgow to Bowling Green and back Monday afternoon, they also got to fly it.
The adventure was part of a class assignment for their online AeroScholars course, which is being offered as a pilot program to gifted and talented students at GHS this year.
“We are one of eight schools in the state to be a part of this,” said instructor Sheryl Wilkinson.
The program was offered in cooperation with the Kentucky Department of Aviation and the Experimental Aviation Association and its Young Eagles program.
“The first year of this course focuses on basic principles of aviation,” Wilkinson said. “Some topics covered are aviation science, parts of an airplane and its flight instruments, aerodynamics, as well as the history of aviation. If the students enroll and successfully complete the second year of this program next year, they will have all the requirements for a pilot’s license with the exception of the necessary flight time.”
It normally costs $400 for the course, but since it is a pilot program, the class was offered at no charge to GHS students. If they choose to take the class to the second level next year, they may have to pay for it, Wilkinson said.
“They are getting a bargain and they are getting college credit for it,” Wilkinson said. “If all four of them chose to pay $35, (they will) get three hours of college credit.”
GHS junior John Furlong thought the class sounded interesting, so he signed up for it.
“They said there was a possibility of getting your pilot’s license and I thought that sounded cool,” he said.
Steve Wilson, a flight instructor from Russellville and a member of EAA, flew with the students from Glasgow to Bowling Green and back.
Joining Smith and Furlong on Monday were GHS juniors Seth Hubbard and Katie Highbaugh.
Smith and Furlong made the 45-minute trip with Wilson first. Furlong rode in the co-pilot’s seat, while Smith sat in the backseat.
Wilson allowed Furlong to take off from Glasgow, and when they reached the Bowling Green Airport, Furlong switched places with Smith so she could fly the plane back to Glasgow.
“It was fun,” Smith said after the flight was over. “It’s pretty up there. It’s kind of like driving a car except you couldn’t see over the hood.”
Highbaugh and Hubbard made the 45-minute flight after Smith and Furlong.
The second duo had more experience than the first two.
Highbaugh has flown with her grandfather for several years, so it was not a new experience for her. However, she admitted she did learn quite a bit in the class.
“I just learned how airplanes work and the history of it all and kind of what goes on and what is involved in flying and engineering airplanes,” she said.
Hubbard has six hours of flight time under his belt.
“I like flying,” he said. “I’ve always liked flying.”
Hubbard said he learned a lot in the class even though he already new how to fly.
“I’ve learned more about the engineering aspect of it, parts of the plane and the mechanics of flying,” he said.
Hubbard is interested in a career in engineering and thinks he may pursue aeronautical engineering.

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