LOHS Aviation Program Update

When Lone Oak High School launched its Aviation Program last year, we knew we were embarking on something special. With only a handful of high schools in Texas offering this opportunity, our students are gaining hands-on experience in a field that can quite literally take them to new heights. Over the course of this multi-year program, students will not only learn the fundamentals of aviation—they will build a fully functional RV-12 aircraft.

First Cohort 

Last year, our first group of ten students completed their Tier 1 Introduction to Flight Technology coursework. This wasn’t just about learning the history of aviation; they dove straight into the technical skills that form the backbone of aircraft construction, including:

• Workshop safety, including PPE requirements and hazard management

• Understanding FAA aviation terminology and safety standards

• Mastering aircraft-specific tools and techniques

• Learning how to read and follow technical documentation (because in aviation, “winging it” is not an option)

• Beginning actual construction on the RV-12, working on sub-assemblies like the vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilator, and rudder

Alongside their hands-on work, students had the opportunity to tour the L3 Harris plant in Greenville, TX, where they saw firsthand what a career in aviation and aerospace can look like.

Progress in 2024: More Than Just Nuts and Bolts

As we move through the 2024-2025 school year, students in Cohort 1 have continued refining their skills. Some of their latest accomplishments include:

• Completed the vertical stabilizer sub-assembly

• Nearly completed the horizontal stabilizer, rudder, and trim tab (currently at 75–90%)

• Started working on the aircraft’s main wing spar assemblies (a long-term project spread across two years)

• Deepened their knowledge of airframe structures, metallurgy, and industry workflows

While Cohort 1 has been busy constructing the aircraft, we welcomed a second cohort of ten students this year, who are now working through their Introduction to Aviation Technology coursework. These underclassmen are laying the groundwork for their future in aviation by studying:

• The history of flight, from early inventors to the Wright Brothers

• The physics and forces that make flight possible

• Aircraft anatomy, propulsion systems, and flight instrumentation

• Hands-on flight simulation with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

And it’s not all classroom learning - these students have already attended community fly-ins where they’ve gotten up close and personal with real aircraft, both vintage and modern.

Challenges in the Cockpit

Of course, no ambitious program comes without turbulence. Our students have faced a few challenges along the way, including:

• Precision, precision, precision. When working with aircraft components, every hole drilled and every rivet placed must be accurate within 1/32 of an inch. That’s a level of precision that takes practice and patience.

• Following the technical documentation to the letter. The urge to “just get to building” can sometimes conflict with the methodical, detailed nature of aviation construction. Learning to read, interpret, and execute complex plans has been a major lesson.

• The reality of supply chain delays. Replacement parts don’t always arrive overnight, and learning to navigate logistical challenges has been a real-world lesson in problem-solving.

But perhaps the biggest challenge? Being patient with themselves. These students hold themselves to high standards, and while mistakes are part of learning, they’re not always easy to accept. Learning to handle setbacks without losing confidence has been a huge area of personal growth for our builders.

What’s Next?

In the coming months, our students will be tackling some of their biggest challenges yet, including:

• Completing the core structural members of the aircraft, such as the cockpit and bulkheads

• Beginning work on critical aircraft systems like lighting, electronics, and fuel systems

• More field trips - Students will tour the American Legend Aircraft Company in Sulphur Springs, TX, and attend a DFW-area fly-in or airshow

And we’re also working on an exciting Aviation Camp this summer! This will allow Cohort 2 to get a jump-start on their shop skills while giving Cohort 1 the opportunity to mentor the next generation of Lone Oak aviation students.

The Best Part?

Of course, no project is complete without hearing from the students themselves. We’ve asked them to share their favorite parts of the program so far, and here is what they had to say: 

“I have come to enjoy the hands-on learning environment as well as the evolution of our class chemistry. It brings me satisfaction to be a part of something as a larger whole and to be proud of what we are building.”

• Rhema C.

“I like the aviation class because it teaches us new things and it was great for meeting new people. It is also one of the best courses because it opens a lot of opportunities job wise/academic wise.”

• Jessie N.

“I like the hands-on aspect of it and going through the trial and error and bring able to learn from it. The mentors give great advice on how to do something better.”

• Hunter C. 

“Excellent opportunity being provided to the students. This is a very innovative program for students that provides real world skills/creative thinking.”

• Kent T. (Mentor)

Thank You for Your Support

This program would not be possible without the incredible support of our donors, mentors, and community members. Your generosity and commitment to our students help provide them with opportunities that are truly one of a kind. We appreciate your faith in this program, the time you dedicate, and your continued interest in seeing these students succeed. We cannot thank you enough for being part of this journey.