Intro to Aviation students visit the 105th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard
By: Briana Blaszczyk
Wallenpaupack Area High-School is home to the Wallenpaupack Aeronautical Science & Aviation program (“WASA”), the only in-house high school aviation program of its kind in Pennsylvania. I recently met with the program’s director Mr. Greenberger, where I learned how our school is paving the way for the next generation of the aviation workforce. Aviation workers are in high demand, and as Mr. Greenberger states, “Our program focuses on practical skills and preparing students for lucrative jobs without attending college!”
This year, WASA has 134 new students and hopes to support each student along their individualized path to success. The Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) publicly spoke on the program’s excellence, “Wallenpaupack Aeronautical Science & Aviation program, the only one of its kind in the nation. The program focuses on four career tracks in the industry: professional pilot, air traffic control, aviation management, and aviation maintenance.” WAHS currently offers three classes, Intro to Aviation, Private Pilot Knowledge Test Prep, and Instrument Knowledge Test Prep. All WASA students have access to a full scale G1000 simulator, unrestricted access to ForeFlight (A professional aviation software program) and other professional aviation tools. Most aviation tools in the program are made possible by sponsors including companies like Jet Blue, American Airlines, and United Airlines. Local aviation businesses like TML Aviation from Cherry Ridge Airport in Honesdale PA, and Moyer Aviation from the Pocono Mountains Airport in Tobyhanna PA, provide many of our students with flight training opportunities. Upcoming events include the first inaugural WASA fly-in, where WASA alumni and Mr. Greenberger will fly to an airport for lunch. In addition, plans are in the works for a new flight simulator lab for next fall. On behalf of the Paupack Press thank you to Mr. Greenberger for his insight into the program and I encourage students who have an interest in aviation to check out what WASA has to offer!
