Aviation Careers Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 3 PM
Location: Room 194, Windham Regional Career Center, Brattleboro, VT
Google Meets link: meet.google.com/wrz-atnj-fmw
1. Greetings/Introductions. Completed. Members present were
a. Chris Hodsden, Program instructor
b. James Holliman, Operations Manager for Monadnock Aviation in Keene
c. Justus Keith, Vt Air National Guard Career Counselor
d. Chris Beitzel, Manager of the Rutland Regional Airport
2. Summary of the functions of an Advisory Board. As a point of introduction to the function and work of an advisory board, Chris gave a brief summary of the important role that an advisory board plays in the work that a career center does to connect students to the world of work and in keeping each program grounded in the most recent professional trends.
3. Program Goals and Objectives. Chris reviewed the program goals and objectives, with a particular focus on the program IRC’s.
4. Review of topics/action items from the last meeting
a. Connection with Young Eagles program in Rutland. The group discussed a number of flight opportunities connected with the Young Eagles program within a reasonable drive from Brattleboro. One of the biggest obstacles is the fact that free Young Eagles intro flights are age limited to 17 years old. Six of the nine students in the program are older than 17. Additionally, we discussed the possibility of scheduling introductory flight, at a cost, with a local flight school as a means to get students in the air in a light GA aircraft.
5. A quick review/summary of the Curriculum, Scope, and Sequence of the Two-Year Program: All of the following topics were reviewed and discussed with the advisory board.
a. AOPA Curriculum
b. Four course completed in 2 years of 2 hours per day of instruction
c. Topics covered in each of the four courses
d. Typical Lesson format
e. Enrichment opportunities
i. Use of flight simulators
ii. Use of classroom drones
6. Update on the current progression through the Curriculum
a. Recent visit to The Vermont Army National Guard hangar in South Burlington.
Both classes spent a day traveling to and visiting the VT Air National Guard facility at the Burlington International Airport in South Burlington. We spent time in the hangar getting an in depth introduction to all of their aircraft. We also got the chance to hear about the paths that many of the Air National Guard members took to get to their current aviation related job with the Air National Guard.
b. Work toward the Private Pilot’s Written exam. Students are working toward obtaining an endorsement for this test by completing Sporty’s prep course for the exam. They are making good progress, but will need at least another week to complete this.
c. Successful Completion of the Part 107 Drone Certification test by all second year students
7. Questions/Observations/Ideas/Opportunities for program growth from board members.
a. Chris Beitzel called to the board’s attention the NIST’s (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Drone Course as a means to access the required continuing education that individuals that have a Part 107 Certificate (like our second year students) need to complete every two years to stay certificated as a drone pilot. Chris H. will look into this. Chris B. will email additional information.
Chris B. also mentioned that there are ways to get high quality drone simulators for free. He will also share that information with Chris H. Finally, Chris B. mentioned that he has a good point of contact (a former flight attendant) who would be happy to connect with any students in the program who are interested in a career as a flight attendant.
8. Date and time for the next meeting. Expecting to hold a meeting in September of 2025
9. Adjournment.
