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The Mountain Home Christian Academy (MHCA) “Eagles” – showed their own brand of flying as the 8th grade class visited the airport for an entire morning.
Hosted by pilots of the Leading Edge Aviation Foundation (LEAF), Mrs. Paula Stuelke and her MHCA Eagles students began the airport visit with an aviation video learning session in the Civil Air Patrol room at the airport. Then, with a new understanding of aerodynamics and how airplanes fly, the class divided into two groups and progressed to fly the Foundation’s flight simulator and visit several aircraft on display.
Asking questions about the many types of aviation industry careers, the students absorbed valuable information to be used as they study towards future careers. But mostly they had fun flying the flight simulator – sitting behind aircraft controls on the flight deck – and observing the capabilities of unmanned aircraft (drones), while learning from the experiences of seasoned pilots.
The Leading Edge Aviation Foundation introduced the four-year high school Aviation STEM Studies program to the MHCA board and it was accepted immediately so that ninth grade students will start the four-year curriculum next school year. The Eagles will join the Bombers and more than 14,000 other high schools nationwide using aviation context to teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through the high school years. In place now for more than ten years, nationwide history shows students learn complicated science and math topics faster and gain more independent critical thinking skills when applied to aviation issues. Completing students have their choice of graduating with an FAA commercial drone operators certificate or having passed the FAA private pilot written test.
Lt. Colonel (ret.) Gary Smith provided the CAP video facilities for the aerodynamics lesson, and students learned the opportunities available for CAP cadets (age 12-18) in the weekly program at Baxter County Airport. Tim Phelps flew with all students on the FAA certified flight simulator in the LEAF Aviation Learning Center, while Sylvia Hathaway provided aviation workbooks and magazines to challenge student curiosity. At the hangar, Steve Johnson with Kaleb Brooks, Sam and Chris Duncan, Bill and Sharon Holland and Bob Hathaway hosted students on aircraft flight decks including a Zenith experimental, a powered-parachute, a Rockwell Lark and an American Champion Scout.
Cody Cline, an independent certified flight instructor (CFI) answered questions about learning to fly – and the many types of civilian and military pilot careers available. He may be contacted through the airport office or through LEAF at [email protected].
A 501(c)(3) certified charity, the Leading Edge Aviation Foundation (LEAF) pursues a mission to “educate, encourage, and provide financial assistance to people interested in aviation who might otherwise be excluded”. LEAF depends on local donations for the resources to fund scholarships and operate training opportunities. For students grades 6 through graduation, two scholarship types are available awarding up to $2,500 for both aviation summer camp experiences and college level study towards aerospace industry careers. Since 2023 local students have benefitted from more than $38,000 in scholarships and seven Mountain Home students will benefit this year with five currently studying at the college level for various aviation careers on LEAF scholarships.
Replenishment funds are needed for our students to capture the future rewarding aerospace and aviation industry careers. If you like the mission, and the proven results, please consider supporting the LEAF career scholarship program – call 870-656-6005 or write [email protected] for information.
