This year, FHS introduces a new opportunity for aspiring pilots and airplane mechanics. Mr. Odom is the ex-Marine mechanic pioneering this new program. “I spent five years in the Marines as a helicopter mechanic,” Mr. Odom said. “But when I wasn’t working on the helicopter’s drivetrain, I loaded cargo and rode as a door gunner.” Through his extensive knowledge over the subject, he’s more than qualified to run the new class. Although this is the class’ first year, they’ve already hit the ground running. Instead of throwing books at the students, he’s using more immersive ways of teaching them about aviation. This year they will be focusing primarily on the use of flying remote-control aircraft. “We will be using remote-controlled quadcopters, helicopters, and airplanes,” Mr. Odom said. This way, the students will learn more about the motors and engineering side of flying. The class still has many things they want to accomplish that they aren’t doing this year. The class will eventually develop a wind tunnel, allowing the students to see how the wind would affect different models they make. Mr. Odom wants to take frequent trips to the airport to develop relationships with the mechanics and staff there. The students could then shadow the mechanics and learn more about the actual work involved with that job (hopefully even get some hands-on experience). Mr. Odom emphasizes the importance of students getting their hands dirty instead of just studying books. This will improve the students’ knowledge over the subject by immersing them in the real world work and what it encompasses. The goal for students who have completed four years of aviation is to next earn their commercial drone piloting license. This license allows drone owners to legally fly their drones in state parks and some national parks as well as over large crowds. The new aviation class will become more and more advanced within the next few years. It will offer countless opportunities for the students to learn about aeronautics and flight.