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EmailHOUSTON - Imagine flying an airplane before getting your drivers' license. That's just what some local students are doing. 39 News has the story of students who are enrolled in the Ross Sterling High School aviation program, and how they're soaring above their competition. "This program has been at Sterling High School since the late 70s," said Joseph Bennett, who's the aviation science magnet coordinator at Ross S. Sterling High School in Houston.
Since then, students have received first-hand experience of what it means to become a pilot.
"We are one of the few that actually offer these children their F.A.A. (Federal Aviation Administration) certification upon completion of the program," said Bennett.
Not only is this program providing options, but the best part? "It's free for each and every one of them to get their license," Bennett said. "And that license cost anywhere between $5,000 and $6,000 per student."
"They fly until they gain their 40 hours experience as required by the F.A.A.," said Lucio Vazquez, a certified flight instructor, who is studying at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. "(When they're) 16 they can (fly) solo; 17 they can get their license as long as they meet the 40 hour minimum requirements." They took part in what is called a discovery flight. "They get to sit in the front seat and look at all the gauges go back and forth," said Vazquez.
"When you're up there, you get the turbulence," said Dayza Monson, who's a sophomore at Ross Sterling High School. "It feels like you're falling, and that's the worst feeling."
"My dream job is actually to become a naval fighter pilot," said Austin Banda, a sophomore at Ross Sterling High School, who already has 22 flight hours toward a pilot's license.
Thanks to the Houston Independent School District (HISD), that dream of flying is now a reality for all these students.
"It helps us take advantage of the opportunity to become a pilot or maybe we can even go to the military," said Alexandria Johnson, who got a chance to go in a plane with her best friend Dayza.
These kids are getting the opportunity of a lifetime.
"It's funny because my mom can drive me here, but I go take her flying," said Banda laughing.
"If they just keep it up, they have a strong potential to make it in this as their career," said Vazquez.
A career in aviation that's beginning very early for these students from Ross Sterling High School.
So just how successful has the program been? Two former aviation magnet students are now working as commercial pilots with Continental Airlines.
