AITE has opened doorways, with the help of Tango Flight, to offer a new class to students next year. The course allows students to build a plane with the help of mentors, a plane that can be flown. For more information, down below is a transcript of an interview with AITE’s principal, Mrs. Tina Rivera.
Can you give us a brief interview of this new course being offered next school year?
A. Sure! It’s a two-credit course where students will spend two years building a single-engine, two-seater airplane from a kit. Along the way, they’ll learn about aerospace and flight through a hands-on curriculum. We’ve also added flight simulators so students can get cockpit experience before actually flying the plane.
What will this class look like in terms of next year’s schedule?
A. The class will be scheduled during Period 4 at the end of the day. This allows extra time for cleanup and makes it easier for volunteer mentors—who help both in the classroom and with the plane build—to get to Stamford. Mr. Urbanowski will be teaching the course, and he’s a great fit given his background and passion for aerospace.
What kind of classroom environment is necessary to make this project a success?
A. The class needs students who are passionate, curious, and excited to take on something completely new—like building and flying a plane. It also requires focus, dedication, and a strong commitment to seeing a project through from start to finish. This isn’t a course for just anyone; it’s for students truly ready to take on the challenge.
What do you believe will be an educational challenge for the students who are taking this class?
A. One challenge will be balancing the two components of the course—the rigorous aerospace curriculum and the hands-on plane build. Some students may be stronger in academics but less comfortable with hands-on work, or vice versa. This course will push them to grow in both areas by giving them a new experience that could change how they see their own strengths.
What skill sets do you believe this class will teach the students at AITE?
A. This class will teach students perseverance, focus, and dedication. Building a plane over two years can be overwhelming at first, especially when faced with countless parts and pieces. But as students see their progress, like they did when the student ambassadors from Bassick came to AITE, they’ll gain a strong sense of pride and accomplishment. It’s a real lesson in sticking with a long-term goal and seeing it through.
