Breaking Down the Fences: Your Airport as a Resource

Steve KelleySoutheastern Regional Voc Tech High School

AOPA HS STEM Field Test TeacherPrivate Pilot

Who has encountered this before?

About me...

● Worked at local airport from age 13 to 18● Earned Private Pilot Certificate at age 17● Graduated from University of New Hampshire / AFROTC● Active Duty Air Force (Kadena AB, Japan)● Became a history teacher in 2002● Regained flight currency in 2015 (Rusty Pilot who got through the fence!)● Started teaching aviation studies in 2017-2018 with AOPA HS STEM● Teach five sections of aviation studies electives …100+ students● AOPA Member and aircraft owner

The challenge...

Where did all these fences come from?● After 9/11, Congress enacted the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA),

which created the TSA; FAA’s civil aviation security responsibilities handed over to TSA

● Prior to 9/11, federal airport security focused mostly on commercial, scheduled ops

● 200,000 GA aircraft in the US responsible for 77% of all US air traffic

● 145 million passengers transported annually in GA aircraft...business and personal

● TSA published detailed guidelines and recommendations for GA security

● Local GA airports are more secure, but a lot less inviting to the general public

As aviation teachers, the local airport may be our most valuable resource for

knowledge and inspiration.

So, what’s behind that fence?

What you’ll find on the airfield...● Airport Operations / Management● Control Towers / ATC Centers● Flying Clubs● EAA Chapters / Young Eagles● Civil Air Patrol● Med Flight / EMS / State Police ● Customs & Border Patrol● News / Traffic ● R&D● Airshow Performers● College/University Programs● FBOs

Where can I locate information about my local airport?

AOPA’s Online Resources (www.aopa.org)

Airports

KPYM

Flight School/Maintenance Shop

College AMT Program

Flight Training/Aerobatics

Helicopters

Avionics Shop

What is an FBO?● FBO = “Fixed-Base Operator”

○ The terminology arose from the Air Commerce Act of 1926, which began to regulate aviation during the Barnstorming Era; services thus became less transient and more “fixed”

○ An FBO is an organization granted the right by an airport to operate a business that may offer:■ Fueling■ Tie-downs■ Hangars■ Aircraft Rentals■ Flight Instruction■ Maintenance■ Scenic Flights■ Crop Dusting■ Banner Towing■ Courtesy vehicles

Don’t overlook the airport’s own website

Find a club

● Aircraft to practice pre-flights● Motivated pilots● Guest Speakers● Airport Access

EAA Chapters● Aircraft build projects● Vintage aircraft● Young Eagles/Eagle Flights● Knowledgeable pilots

State Airport Management Associations

College/University Aviation

● Airport-based facilities● Flight Simulators● Wind Tunnels● Guest Speakers● Recent Graduates

Setting up an Airport Field Trip

Sample Field Trip Itinerary

Tips....● Survey your students…what do they want to see or experience?● Be specific with requests of your hosts

○ “CFI or flight student to demo a pre-flight”○ “Hands-on flight sim experience”○ Minimize “presentations” - students get enough of that in the classroom

● Dress appropriately (cold weather gear)● Lunch - ask about use of airport meeting room or flight school classroom● Small vs. large groups● Look for pre-arranged opportunities….fly-ins, career showcases

Safety Briefing● Phones / Earbuds put away ● Prop Arc / Hot Mags● Watch your head● FOD / Hats● Ears and Eyes Open● Hands off the tools● Vintage / Fabric Aircraft● Sharp, pointy things....● Handle with care

Thank you!

Steve KelleySoutheastern Regional Vocational Technical High School

South Easton, Massachusettsskelley@sersd.org