11/7/2022
Timothy Chapman
Last Aug., McAllen Independent School District (MISD) began a first of its kind aviation program for high school students in the Rio Grande Valley .
MISD partnered up with Mcallen Flight Academy to offer a course called practicum in transportation focused on aviation where students are learning how to fly an aircraft.
President and owner of Mcallen Flight Academy Hector Zuniga said that this program was well received amongst the students, with many of them wanting to try something new.
“The level of enthusiasm is actually very contagious. Some of them went with their eyes completely open and they knew exactly what they wanted to do. And the rest of the group, maybe about eight of them, wanted to try it, to experience it, see maybe just take advantage of a new opportunity,” Zuniga said.
He said that many students did not care about school before joining this program, but he has noticed a big increase in participation.
“Now they’re very excited about going to class, they have told me themselves, personally. Their parents have told the administrators and the teachers [what] I’m dealing with there at the ISD. So yes, definitely this program has been very well received by the students and the administration,” Zuniga said.
Career Technical Education (CTE) coordinator at MISD David Lyons said that he was appointed the responsibility of researching the logistics to see if this program was possible due to the rapid growing demand of aircraft pilots.
“Down here, there is a need for it [pilot] in our region. And then, nationally there is a shortage as well. By giving students this opportunity, [it] can lead to many opportunities in the air,” Lyons said.
He said that he’s seen firsthand the enjoyment that the students get out of flying aircrafts.
“The comments that I’ve heard, I’ve visited the classroom, I’ve seen the kids while they’re getting the instruction from Mr. Zuniga. They’re in awe, it’s like a dream come true for some of the kids,” Lyons said.
Zuniga said that even though this is a fun experience and career-building program, it also serves as a big life lesson for these young pilots.
“This is an activity that will make a very big difference in the life of a young person,” Zuniga said. “Your life is going to depend on you, the lives of your passengers is going to depend on you. It’s a way for a student to mature very quickly and know what is it that they are capable of.”
Through MISD, the students will be able to get a private pilot’s license and a remote drone license.
This is Timothy Chapman for Vaquero Radio.
