On Thursday, United States Representative Rudy Yakym visited the Plymouth Municipal Airport. He took a tour and learned about the airport's AlphaFlight program for area students.
Bill Sheley, the manager of Plymouth Municipal Airport, shared the background of the AlphaFlight program at the airport.
At the start of bringing education to the airport, Sheley met with Culver Military Academy and Ancilla College. CMA wanted to bring its summer program to the airport, and Ancilla wanted to start a program.
Sheley brought Dan Marohn and his business partner, Ken Norris, to this meeting. Shortly after, CMA brought its summer program, and the high school AlphaFlight program soon followed.
Sheley explained that the high school class is part of the Career and Technical Education program through Plymouth.
Since this class began at the airport, almost 200 students have taken it. This year, there are 32 in the course.
“AlphaFlight has been turning out pilots, private pilots, commercial pilots and instrument rated pilots every month,” Sheley said.
A helicopter school has also been at the airport for a long time. About two to four private or commercial helicopter pilots graduate from these classes every month.
“We’re kind of unique in small general aviation in Indiana in that we’ve grown so much. The rest of the state has not seen that much of that,” Sheley said about the airport and the schools.
He added that they cannot grow fast enough for the schools. AlphaFlight wants to start a 147 program. This is a school for mechanics, but right now, they do not have the room.
Sheley explained that AlphaFlight classes are dual-credit Ivy Tech courses that give students 12 free credit hours that will transfer to any state school. This is in addition to the four hours students get from taking the first-year AlphaFlight class.
“We are fortunate to have AlphaFlight because with that, kids get flying time and we have a full motion simulator as well. They get time in both of those as part of the program,” Sheley said.
At the end of the course, students will do work around the airport, such as repainting markings and other airfield projects. This will help them remember these things years later.
Yakym talked about the country's need for pilots, as many retired during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“What you guys do here, right out of Plymouth, is provide such a great service to our country and fill that need for additional commercial pilots. Which ultimately serves our airlines and brings down cost of airfares,” Yakym said.
Photo: Dan Marohn, Rudy Yakym, Robert Listenberger, and Bill Sheley
Photo and article provided by our news partners at The Pilot News.
Knox County to host public meeting on solar projects
Red Hill Unit #10 hires new principal and adopts new student technology policy
Ameren announces proposed electric rate changes
Early childhood education programs earn highest rating
Illinois state sales tax reduction for school supplies to begin for parents
Illinois State Police opens another kiosk to help with FOID and concealed carry applications
Local man killed in a two vehicle accident
Celebrate 217 Concert Week with $26 grandstand tickets
New Office of Cybersecurity established in Indiana
FRESH begins across Illinois
Kratos completes $50 million state-of-the-art hypersonic systems payload integration facility in Indiana
FSSA to text HIP members about HIP work requirements
Lawrence County woman to be inducted into 4-H Hall of Fame
Lawrenceville conducting walking and biking survey
Strong storms batter Lawrence County
