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Giving Dreams to Tomorrow’s Leaders...
Many people dream of flying, but few ever get the chance. Through the Watauga Eagle Squadron, Carter County high school students are setting their sights on the horizon. Through quality education, unique field trips, and high-caliber flight instruction these students are flying above their peers.
The Class
Students enrolled in any of the four Carter County high schools (Unaka, Hampton, Happy Valley, or Cloudland) can sign up to take Introduction to Aviation and Theory of Flight. The class is located at Unaka High School in the mornings. In the class the students will learn the basic material required to pass the FAA written knowledge test including:
- Basic licensing requirements
- Airplane structure, engines, and instruments
- The basics of aerodynamics
- The flight environment (airports, airspace, and navigational charts)
- How to communicate with Air Traffic Control
- Weather theory and interpreting weather reports and forecasts
- How to predict airplane performance
- Human factors, decision making, and aviation physiology
Students will also learn about aviation history, basic airplane maneuvers, and how an airplane is structured (by building balsa model planes). An emphasis is also placed on developing solid mental math skills.
The Watauga Eagle Squadron
Sponsored through the Brumit Foundation, the Watauga Eagle Squadron provides wings to the Carter County aerospace program. By signing a contract stating that they will not use tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs, students become a part of this exciting flying club. The Watauga Eagle Squadron sponsors field trips and provides an opportunity for the students to take subsidized flight instruction.
After completing 10 hours of community service, students are allowed to begin flight training. For every hour of flight training the students must complete an additional hour of community service. The cost per hour of flight is currently only $10 for the first 15 hours and $50 for the next 25 hours of flight. After 40 total hours students pay normal airport rate (currently $110 per hour), but the flight instruction is still free (normally $30 per hour).
In addition to this incredible opportunity, the Watauga Eagle Squadron also provides opportunities for the students to visit the Tri-Cities Airport air traffic control tower, the Tennessee Museum of Aviation, and Edwards & Associates Helicopters. A variety of other fun activities are scheduled including movie nights and a trip to the Boy Scout ropes course (the Eagle Squadron is a registered Aviation Explorer Post through the Boy Scouts of America).
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