Douglas pursues aeronautics, aviation program
On Thursday, March 21, 2019, City Manager Charles Davis called a special interest meeting at the Douglas Municipal Airport with key stakeholders in the community to explore an aeronautics and aviation educational program. Members from the school system, both colleges and the Douglas Municipal Gene Chambers Airport, discussed the current and future trend needs for more employees in the aviation field, from administration to pilots and mechanics. All entities are committed to conduct research and continue to meet on a regular basis to make this program a reality for the community. Plans are in the works to start introducing kids, as early as elementary to the operations of the local airport by hosting school trips. From there, hopes are to create a pathway for students in 6th grade to college entrance in the field of aviation.
“There is much to be considered and vetted out before we are positive that we have the right ingredients to pull make this educational opportunity a reality,” says Davis. “I want to thank all leaders and professionals from the Coffee County Board of Education, Wiregrass Georgia Career Academy, South Georgia State College, and Douglas Municipal Airport for their attendance to the meeting and commitment to invest time to seek out research need to pull together a robust curriculum opportunity for Douglas and Coffee County.”
Following the meeting, those in attendance were treated to a private tour of the famous XP 82 Twin Mustang that was fully restore to flight in Douglas under the leadership of Tom Reilly. Visiting the hangar allowed stakeholders to visualize the hands-on training students would receive in the aviation education program.
Any school interested in scheduling a tour of the Douglas Municipal Airport can call Howard Whidden, Airport Manager at 912-384-1409 or email hwhidden@cityofdouglas.com.
Special thanks to those present at the meeting: Dr. Ingrid Sellers (President of South Georgia State College), Dr. Carl McDonald (South Georgia State College), Dr. Morris Leis (Coffee County Board of Education Superintendent), Brad Riner (Coffee County Board of Education), Joy Perrin, Pam Smith (Principal/CEO Wiregrass Georgia Career Academy), Georgia Henderson (Community Development Director), Howard Whidden (Airport Manager), Don Brooks (Brooks Aviation), and Tom Reilly (Maintenance Instructor).