St. Vrain Aeronautics teams soar high

The Innovation Center of St. Vrain Valley Schools is home to a pioneering Aeronautics Program to prepare students for a career in Aviation Engineering and Flight. Three project teams offer high school students rewarding opportunities to expand their skill sets and explore advanced technologies in the area.

The Aero, Aeronautical Engineering, and Drone Performance teams, each focus on a specific element of the expansive aeronautics field.

High schoolers in the programs are compensated by the district for their work. Payment is appreciated by students, but most are more enthusiastic about the opportunities and connections offered by the teams.

Adults with aeronautic expertise or certifications mentor and guide learners through complicated team projects. Paul Hollingshead brings extensive technical insight to the Drone Performance Team, and Gary Steube and Richie Weingarten offer plane construction experience to the Aeronautical Engineering Team.

The Aero team is the oldest of the three groups. Most Aero team members hold a Remote Pilot Certification (RPC), and have the unique opportunity to partner with companies in the area. "They can be contracted to go out into the field, and do real field work with our drones," flight instructor Colin Dielmann said. Students use IC-owned aerial devices to film and photograph locations, often for promotional use by corporations.

FCI Constructors is one of the team's primary clients. The enterprise contracts members to capture "before, during, and after pictures of sites (by drone) so that they can have documentation," Dielmann stated.

Aeronautical Engineering Team students take on the task of building manned aerial systems like airplanes. Their current focus is on the construction of a small sport airplane. The task is highly complex from an outsider's perspective, with all of the components of a functioning plane being added piece by piece.

Members embrace the challenge and the opportunity to broaden their abilities. "I have really gained a lot of technical skills doing this," student Estela Mendoza said. "Now I can, like, put a bolt and washer on. I have learned how to read a lot of different plans and things like that."

The students' current project uses a construction plan and kit created by Van's Aircraft. Dielmann, who leads the team, explained, "It is just like a giant Lego set that got shipped to us, ... and we are really bad at finding the pieces, but we are really good at putting them together once we find them."

The Drone Performance Team, a group that arranges and executes stunning drone shows, is the most popular group with the public. Instructor Danny Hernandez explained, "We do everything from pre-production, where we are talking with the clients, all of the way to the planning, the storyboarding, the art, the animation, the research, FAA regulations, piloting, the setup, and the launch of the show." Students collaborate through this demanding process to create amazing products.

On Nov. 19 and Nov. 21, the team held shows in Frederick and Longmont, respectively, to thank voters for the approval of St. Vrain ballot measure 5C.

Drone Performance students delight in the opportunity to put on exciting demonstrations for observers. Sophomore Reese Wieder said, "I like when we get big crowd reactions. It is really fun...It is very rewarding."

In addition to fostering community, every project team equips members with knowledge and skills especially impressive at the high school level. Specialized programs enable students to access training and mentorship unique to their interests and ambitions.

Mendoza noted, "My goal is to be an aerospace engineer, and build rockets and stuff, and this is definitely a great stepping stone." Wieder voiced a similar perspective on career development, saying, "I meet people here that will help me way beyond this team."