Duncan... The Magazine Fall 2022 | Page 22

Municipal Airport , like 5B Aviation ’ s Head Flight Instructor Richard Martin , and using a full motion flight simulator to try and land on an aircraft carrier .
Camp instructor Renea Lawler explained the importance of career exposure , even to a middle school aged group .
“ In Oklahoma , everyone always thinks of the gas and oil industry , but aerospace and aviation is actually one of the largest industries in our state ,” Lawler said . “ I didn ’ t even realize how many jobs were out there in the aviation space until I looked more into it , so it ’ s good to show these students what careers are there .”
Lawler teaches a Science , Technology , Engineering and Math ( STEM ) based flight course at Duncan Middle School , which now serves as a prerequisite for a new course plan at the high school level known as the “ You Can Fly ” program .
With the goal of providing a traditional aviation learning experience , Duncan High School ( DHS ) will act as one of 57 Oklahoma high schools to implement the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association ’ s ( AOPA ) “ You Can Fly ” curriculum for the 2022-23 school year .
Duncan Public Schools Superintendent Channa Byerly said the program will serve many benefits to the DHS student body .
“ I am extremely excited about this opportunity for our students . This will open several different career pathways in aviation ,” Byerly said . “ We are fortunate to be able to provide such a great course and have the opportunity to grow and develop this program .”
The four-year aviation study
DHS STEM COORDINATOR SANDY FERGUSON SHOWCASES CURRICU- LUM STUDENTS WILL USE THROUGH THE “ YOU CAN FLY ” PROGRAM .
program allows students to either earn their pilot ’ s or unmanned aerial system licenses by the time they graduate high school .
To accompany the new curriculum , DHS received a virtual flight simulator in a generous donation from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission , which DHS STEM Coordinator Sandy Ferguson said will bring a great benefit to the students .
“ While these classes will require a lot of traditional learning and studying , the flight simulator will be a great help in providing the students with a hands-on learning experience ,” Ferguson said .
Ferguson said the new courses outline all aspects of the aviation industry and why each part is significant .
“ When we went to the training for these courses , our eyes were opened up . I had never even thought about all of the different positions there are in aviation ,” Ferguson said . “ It ’ s not just about being a pilot or a drone operator . There are air traffic controllers , electronic technicians , engineers , safety personnel , attorneys and even more jobs that you wouldn ’ t ever think of … It ’ s so important to
22 DUNCAN MAGAZINE | FALL 2022