By Allison Marlow
When Hayden Kerin finishes his work for the day, he can literally watch his success soar.
The Fairhope High School senior spends half of each school day tinkering with instrumentation and learning about aircraft systems. A good day in the classroom means a great day on the tarmac.
“I was always interested in airplanes. I thought it would be interesting and fun,” he said of the classes. “When we see something we do flying, it’s very rewarding,” Kerin said.
Kerin is one of 31 students who have committed to spending half a day in high school and half in college courses through Baldwin County School’s Fairhope Academy program at the Fairhope Airport. Launched in 2015, the partnership with Coastal Alabama Community College allows Baldwin County high school students to complete the majority of classes needed to earn an associate in applied science degree in airframe technology.
By Guy Busby
FAIRHOPE – Baldwin County high school students and parents stood around a partially disassembled small plane as Ken Callais described the career opportunities available maintaining such aircraft.
The Academy at the Fairhope Airport trains students for careers such as aviation, industrial maintenance, electrical and instrumentation, millwright and welding. The Academy is operated through a partnership by the Baldwin County School System and Coastal Alabama Community College On Feb. 27, the center held its annual open house for potential students.
Callais, an aviation instructor, pointed out one of the aircraft used by student mechanics. He pointed to the letter N at the beginning of the registration number on the fuselage.