ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, October 18, 1996 TAG: 9610180057
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
ROANOKE'S MAGNET FLIGHT program was questioned by a School Board member. But students say it's safe as can be.
Thursday was Graham Field's day in the air over the Roanoke Valley: The sky was a classroom for the William Fleming High School senior.
Field crawled into the cockpit of a red-and-white, single-engine Beechcraft airplane shortly after noon for an hour of flight training in the bright October sun. Flight instructor Nick Bryson sat next to him during the trip.
Soon, Field will be up in the sky alone. He will take his first solo flight after two or three more lessons with his instructor.
He's confident he can do it. He's not worried about the danger.
"We haven't had any crashes here. This is a good program, and I feel safe," said Field, who is a student in Roanoke's magnet aviation program.
He was irritated by School Board member John Saunders' recent comments about potential safety risks in the aviation training.
Several students in the aviation magnet program said Thursday they share Field's sentiments.
"Some School Board members are in the dark about the aviation program. They don't know anything about it, and they don't come out here to see what it's like," said Kasson Bratton, a junior at William Fleming.
Some students come from surrounding counties to enroll in the aviation program. Because the U.S. Department of Education provided funds to start the program and buy the equipment, students from neighboring localities can attend free, just as city students do.
"I think this is a great opportunity for kids who are interested in flying," said Jason Camp, a junior at Fleming who lives in Botetourt County. "I've been interested in flying for 10 years and wouldn't have been able to do it without this program."
Despite Saunders' worry about an accident, the students said their parents support their decision to enroll in the magnet program.
Forty-three students are enrolled in the aviation program this year; 24 are taking ground training, and 19 are in flight training.
Students must complete one year of ground training and pass a rigorous test administered by the Federal Aviation Administration before they are allowed to take flight training.
In the ground training course, they learn about airplanes, the principles of flying, FAA regulations and other aviation rules.
The program, which is housed at Roanoke Regional Airport, has three single-engine planes and three instructors for the flight training. On days when the weather is good, all three planes stay in the air during most of the school day for one-on-one training.
Students in flight training spend about an hour in the sky every other day in William Fleming's block schedule.
When Roanoke began the magnet aviation program in 1987, only two other school systems in the country offered flight training. Now, about 40 school districts nationwide have aviation programs.
"We are no longer pioneers," said Tom Pearman, the chief instructor, who has been with the program since it began. "It's not that we are doing anything outlandish by providing flight training."
No aviation student or staff member has been injured since the program began. The nose gear failed on one plane on a flight several years ago, and the plane sustained minor damage when it landed, but no one was injured, Pearman said.
Pearman recalls that when the program began, some city residents questioned whether the schools should be in the business of owning airplanes and teaching students to fly.
But the controversy had seemed to subside until Saunders said last week he was worried that a student or staff member might be injured or killed in the aviation program. He opposed the board's decision to renew liability insurance for the program, saying no amount of insurance could replace a life.
Some students are angry that publicity about Saunders' comments might cause unjustified fears about the program and put it in jeopardy.
"I wouldn't be going into aviation if it weren't for this program," said Michael Chance, a senior at William Fleming who wants to fly helicopters in the Marine Corps. After he gets his license in the magnet program, he will need only an additional 15 hours of flight training to get a helicopter pilot's license.
Pearman said statistics show that a student is 50 times more likely to die in an automobile accident than in a general aviation plane crash. More people die in bicycle accidents each year nationwide than in general aviation crashes.
"We've been in business for nine years, and we've never had anyone hurt - not even a cut finger," Pearman said. He questions whether it is more dangerous than a science lab, football field or an industrial shop class in school.
Superintendent Wayne Harris backs the aviation program, which began before he became head of the school system.
Harris said he takes Saunders' comments seriously and believes safety must be a priority. But he said he is confident that Pearman and other flight instructors are going far beyond FAA requirements for safety.
A number of former students in the aviation program have become military pilots, flight instructors and commercial pilots, and one has become an aviation lawyer, Pearman said.
Pearman said the aviation program attracts all types of students - from the academically talented to those in special education classes.
"Forty-three students live for this program. It gives them a goal," he said. "If it gives them a reason to stay in school, keeps them off drugs or out of trouble, it's worth it."
LENGTH: Long : 107 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: NHAT MEYER/Staff. William Fleming High School seniorby CNBRebecca Beckner Quesenberry and instructor Nick Bryson take off from
Roanoke Regional Airport. 2. Rebecca Beckner Quesenberry does a
preflight check Wednesday. color. 3. William Fleming High School
senior Graham Field (left) and instructor Nick Bryson wrap a flying
lesson Wednesday.