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Lebanon students build RV-12 aircraft in school'based Tango Flight program
Summary
Lebanon High School students, teachers and the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire presented a project-based aviation program that awards high-school credits while students construct a kit RV-12 light-sport aircraft; program leaders said the completed plane would be sold to fund future builds.
Lebanon School District officials and student members of the district's Tango Flight program showcased a project-based aviation course in which students build a Vans RV-12 light-sport aircraft and earn high-school credits in math, science and engineering.
"This is the type of learning that we need inside our public high schools, not just our CTE center," Amy Allen, superintendent of the Lebanon School District, told the State Board of Education as she introduced students and mentors from the program.
Why it matters: The program combines hands-on manufacturing, mentorship and career pathways in aviation. Students said the class improves technical skills, confidence and college or career readiness; program leaders and the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire said fundraising and potential FAA grant support could expand the model to other schools.
Students described daily shop work and the formal checks that mentors use to verify each assembly is "airworthy." "A large portion of the rigor of the class comes from the fact that everything we do needs to be perfect and airworthy," said Tomas Canelli, a senior. Students said they keep logbooks of hours that can contribute to future airframe and powerplant certification.
Chip Silver, a senior, said the course enrolls 14 students and counts for three credits across math, science and engineering. The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire funds the program and helps with fundraising; the museum representative said the project began after a competitive RFP and that the model now exists in roughly 40'44 U.S. high schools. The museum said it has applied for an FAA grant that, if approved, could fund additional plane builds and expand offerings into northern parts of the state.
Program educators and students emphasized community mentor involvement. "We have over 40 community mentors that come in to work with our students," Amy Allen said; Bonnie Robinson, director of curriculum at Lebanon High School, added: "This program wouldn't have been possible without all of the community support, the support from the Aviation Museum, all of our donors." Students and staff said the finished RV-12 will be sold to finance a future build and that the course provides a pipeline into postsecondary aeronautical programs and workforce pathways.
The presentation included examples of student work, outreach to elementary and middle schools, and students' plans to document projects for college applications. Board members and attendees asked about possible expansion, dual-credit agreements with community colleges and middle-school preparatory courses to build skills earlier in the pipeline.
