Aviation and aerospace is Oklahoma’s second largest industry with $44B in annual economic impact
AFTON, Okla. — Aviation pursuits for Northeast Oklahoma high school students are soaring to new heights with the addition of a unique educational opportunity allowing them to build an aircraft.
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Northeast Tech Afton Campus showcased its collaboration with Tango Flight on Thursday afternoon. An airplane vertical stabilizer was delivered to the Afton Campus, setting the stage for student instruction at the start of the 2024-25 academic year.
Tango Fight is an educational non-profit organization that educates students to become engineers, pilots, aviation mechanics, and technicians.
“The aviation industry will require over 2.1 million new jobs in the next 20 years,” said retired U.S. Navy Captain Craig Anthony during the presentation.
He said the industry will need 42,000 engineers, 610,000 mechanics, and 899,000 cabin crew positions to fill those job vacancies.
Anthony said the high school course helps prepare “a highly competitive, collaborative, and skilled youth.”
He said technical and mechanical skills, fundamentals and mechanics of aircraft and avionics equipment, aviation maintenance and inspection, and aircraft structure and assembly are all part of the curriculum.
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The joint venture will offer students enrolled in the STEM program a unique opportunity to build an aircraft meeting Federal Aviation Administration standards, said Jennifer Walker, Director of Communication.
“Students will spend the next two years assembling the rest of the aircraft, learning essential skills such as riveting, welding, and electrical wiring,” Walker said. “A Tango Flight will pilot the completed aircraft, showcasing the students’ achievements.”
Walker expects a dedication ceremony in May 2026.
This endeavor exemplifies Northeast Tech Afton Campus’s commitment to providing innovative and immersive learning experiences that prepare students for success in STEM fields, she said.
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Walker said program instructors believe building an aircraft from scratch will solidify students’ understanding of engineering and aerodynamics and ignite their passion for innovation and problem-solving.
She said that students will also learn about the regulatory requirements and safety standards necessary for aviation.
STEM Instructor Trishia Masterson, Tango Flight representatives, and local aviation mentors will guide students through hands-on learning experiences and applying STEM principles, Walker said.
Masterson emphasized the significance of this opportunity for students:
“This project is an incredible chance for our students to immerse themselves in the practical aspects of STEM,” Masterson said in a prepared statement. “It’s a transformative experience that will pave the way for their future careers in STEM [related] fields.”
“We continue to strive to find real-world, hands-on practical applications of the knowledge and skills that are being taught in our programs,” said Campus Director Dr. Ravonda Higgins in a prepared statement. “The Tango Flight curriculum is a perfect fit in our STEM program and will not only provide a hands-on approach to learning about aerospace engineering through the building of an airplane but will also inspire students to pursue careers in aviation.”
Click here for further information about Northeast Tech Afton Campus and its collaboration with Tango Flight..
