Homeschooled students take exclusive rides at Johnson Aviation

Students eager to learn more about aviation were recently given the opportunity to learn more about their local airport and some even had a chance to ride as co-pilots.

The Newton Municipal Airport welcomed about 100 area homeschooled students last week to take tours of the facility while about 60 students signed up to take a ride in two of the low wing aircrafts.

Mothers Lisa Fehrmann, of Montour, and Alana Kirkman, of Newton, watched their children do something some adults have never done before — observe Iowa’s beauty from a bird’s eye view.

Fehrmann’s son Joshua, 15, has always wanted to fly.

“His dad is a mechanic, and so Josh is always working on different things. He’s always fixing things, like his go-kart,” Fehrmann said. “I brought Josh because I thought it would be a good opportunity for him to see if he wanted to work on planes.”

Repairing planes is something aircraft mechanic Jeremy Hines knows plenty about. Hines explained to students the importance of annual inspections.

Hines said every year, he and other mechanics tear apart the planes and put the pieces back together, and on a daily basis, Hines is the fix-it man.

“The other day I fixed a part of a wing that was dented,” Hines said. “My favorite part of my job is fixing stuff — I like knowing how things work and fit together.”

Another vital role of flying is of course the pilot. Ethan Nasalroad, Johnson Aviation President, explained to students the career paths pilots could take.

Nasalroad recommended to students who are interested in making flying their career to attend aviation school.  All FAA required training can be done with Johnson Aviation.

"Flight colleges do offer financial aid as any other course of study to compliment or back up the flight training," Nasalroad said. "We would recommend with either route, locally or through a university, that one study a backup general degree of sorts as a "fall back" should circumstances arise with a medical certificate in the future."

Nasalroad also explained the shortage of pilots since the elimination of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, formally known as the G.I. Bill.

“Many airlines are short pilots,” he said. “Sixty to 65 year olds are retiring and there is no one to take their place.”

Other students participated in the day to simply learn. Kirkman said she brought her three children so they could learn in a hands-on environment.

Kirkman’s children, Deana, 16, Levi, 11, and Anna, 6, had all been to the Newton Municipal Airport a few years ago for a similar demonstration, but her youngest child didn’t fly then.

“My youngest hadn’t flown yet,” Kirkman said. “Things are more exciting to learn in person and it’s our job to give them these experiences.”

Contact Kayla Langmaid at 641-792-3121 ext. 6513 or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com