While most high school aviation programs require students to go to a nearby airport to work on aircraft in a hangar, such is not the case at Aviation High School in Long Island City. When you walk into Aviation High School’s 10,000 square foot hangar, the voluminous space is abuzz with activity as students clad in white mechanic’s coveralls work at stations, on aircraft engines, simulators, propellers, and atop ladders on a variety of aircraft that are housed there. The enthusiasm that permeates the air is palpable, and it is evident why the school’s motto, Aviation High School – Where Dreams Take Flight!’ is so true.
On Monday, California-based Joby Aviation Inc., a company developing all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger service, announced a partnership with Aviation High School to prepare the next generation of aircraft maintenance technicians and aerospace professionals for career opportunities created by the electric age of flight.
Aviation High School is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified aviation maintenance technician school and New York City co-educational public school comprised of over 2,000 students who participate in FAA aviation maintenance courses, in addition to traditional academic courses, from freshman year through the fifth year, as students work on earning their FAA airframe and power plant licenses. These licenses enable certified graduates to directly enter the aviation maintenance workforce as maintenance technicians.
Joby Aviation’s partnership with Aviation H.S. comes shortly after the company announced a multi-year partnership with Delta Air Lines to deliver transformational, sustainable home-to-airport service for Delta customers, beginning in New York and Los Angeles.
Through the partnership, 100 Aviation H.S. students have enrolled in Joby’s Online Private Pilot Ground School course, which teaches the basics of aerodynamics, aviation, and piloting. Joby will also work with the school’s faculty to integrate material on electric propulsion systems and other new technologies into its curriculum.
Leading Monday’s announcement, Aviation High School Principal Steven Jackson said, “With electrification and air taxis set to revolutionize the aviation industry, we are excited to partner with Joby to inspire and train our students to work with these cutting-edge technologies and prepare the talented young men and women of New York City for successful careers in the aviation world of tomorrow.”
Joby recently brought four virtual-reality simulators to Aviation High School. Students had the chance to virtually pilot the Company’s eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, which has a dramatically lower noise signature than traditional helicopters and produces zero emissions during flight. With over 1,000 test flights completed, Joby has demonstrated its revolutionary aircraft has the range, speed, altitude, and low noise profile to operate quiet and sustainable trips in and around the communities in the metropolitan and tri-state region.
The partnership announcement was attended by New York Schools Chancellor David Banks, Council Member Julie Won, Deputy Borough President Ebony Young, and the staff and students at Aviation High School.
New York Schools Chancellor David Banks thanked Principal Steven Jackson and the school’s staff for their dedication to providing students with a warm and supportive environment, hand-in-hand with the school’s high-quality curriculum and rigorous academic program, adding how critical the partnership between Aviation High School and Joby is with ensuring a career-pathway that is relevant to each students interests, and in preparing them for life after graduation, no matter what path they may choose.
During the announcement, Shriya Shahi, a senior at Aviation High School, spoke about the amazing opportunity that the school had afforded her, ‘’This school prepares you for the future and pushes you to your limit. Speaking with the representatives of Joby Aviation has me extremely excited, not only as a student but as a future aviation industry employee and hopeful leader. With my fellow students, we are excited to be part of this blossoming relationship between Joby and Aviation High School. The future is bright, and we are at the forefront of it.”
