China Spring ISD is offering an opportunity to students that can’t be found anywhere else in central Texas. Students in teacher Jeff Bray’s advanced engineering class are building an airplane. Partnering with Tango Flight, an educational nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the next generation of engineers, students are building a VAN’S RV-12 aircraft from scratch.
Noticing a shortage of pilots, engineers, and certified mechanics, the founder of Tango Flight decided to partner with high school engineering programs. Offering students an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience. Recognizing the value of providing students access to unique educational opportunities, China Spring ISD leadership decided to invest in the Tango Flight program.
The Tango Flight program is housed within China Spring ISD Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Students enrolled in our CTE programs graduate from China Spring ISD with an industry-based certification. Enhancing student resumes should they decide to pursue college or a job in the industry upon graduation. Students enrolled in the Engineering-Tango Flight CTE program will graduate with an Autodesk Associate Fusion 360 certification.
On the first day of the program, students in Jeff Bray’s class walk into an empty workshop, greeted by an array of seemingly random parts, tools, and a blueprint of an airplane. Three days a week, these students learn to read a blueprint, identify mechanical pieces, and slowly but surely piece together what will become a fully working airplane. At the end of their senior year, these students will have the opportunity to see their hard work take off, literally, when the airplane taxis down the runway and flies.
A key element to the success of this program is mentorship. China Spring ISD is looking to partner with professionals who have engineering, aviation, or mechanic experience to walk alongside students on this journey. If you are interested, or know someone who might be interested in serving as a partner for this program, contact Jeff Bray at jbray@chinaspringisd.net.