After three years of operation, Wathen Aviation High School (WAHS) is expanding to include more students in grades 9-12 on the grounds of Flabob Airport, in Riverside, Calif. Children at the school have the opportunity to develop hands-on skills through a variety of airport projects (like restoring a Stinson 108 to airworthiness) and can earn free flight lessons from participation. Students previously restored and flew an Aeronca Champ to Oshkosh and back. “We think aviation is a great way to motivate kids to learn,” says Wathen Foundation executive director John Lyon. A trustee at the Thomas W. Wathen Foundation, which owns Flabob airport, Major General Pat Halloran once flew the SR71 Blackbird — now he shares with students his firsthand experience of the Cold War and the world’s fastest airplane. While unique, WAHS is a free public charter high school and enrollment (which is now open for fall 2008) is open on a first-come, first-served basis.
Courses at the high school teach to state and federal standards. For more information or to enroll, contact Kathleen Swift at (951) 222-4466.
