KERNERSVILLE — For Bishop McGuinness High School students, the sky is no longer the limit.
The school’s science department added two courses this school year – Introduction to Aviation and Aviation 1 – which allow students to gain a genuine understanding of aviation and aerospace. The classes provide the information necessary to make good university and career choices for students who pursue this path, said Dr. John Robinson, the courses’ instructor.
These classes offer college prep course credits to students in all grade levels, said Katie Williams, the school’s director of advancement.
The curriculum is supplied by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the largest aviation community in the world. Robinson, a retired scientist and a private pilot, said the organization provides the curriculum for free.
Robinson volunteers his time to teach the classes at Bishop McGuinness High School because he said he has always had a passion for aviation and flying. He saw a pressing need for pilots and technicians in the next 20 years.
“We’re trying to spur interest in aviation careers and give young people a chance to learn about the field,” he said. “My son went to Bishop McGuinness. When I saw the program, I thought I would be a good fit because I enjoy teaching.”
This school year, 27 students are enrolled in the two aviation classes.
“We saw this as an opportunity to grow the elective classes students were able to take,” Williams said. “We now have a full cockpit, a FAA-approved flight simulator, to log time and get credit for flying.”
Robinson said he plans to also teach Aviation 2 next school year, and the AOPA is working on developing an expanded curriculum for all four grade levels that Bishop McGuinness High School could offer in the future.
The program was developed to meet the projected need for pilots in the future, Robinson said. The COVID-19 pandemic has decreased some need for pilots, but the industry is growing in other ways. 
“There’s a growing career opportunity base in the Triad with aviation,” Williams said.
Amazon and FedEx have hubs in the area, Robinson said, and Amazon recently purchased its own fleet of planes. Honda Jet also builds aircraft in Greensboro. Guilford Technical Community College has an aviation program to help train and supply employees to these major employers.
The classes Robinson teaches can provide all the information a private or drone pilot would need to pass the FAA’s written test.
“These classes provide a great deal of background information for various careers available for aviation and aerospace engineering programs,” Robinson said. “I try to create a fun environment, to create a solid foundation for students to make good career choices about this field.”
The school purchased the flight simulator with help from a generous donor. Williams said they are looking to add three additional simulators for the school’s program. Right now, classmates can’t team up on a project in the simulator because of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, so additional machines would also enable more students to access the experiments at the same time.
“Dr. Robinson has been such a blessing to this program,” Williams said. “From his experience and expertise, we’ve had nothing but positive feedback from parents and students. The students love it, and we are confident we can fill these classes next year.”
The company that provides the simulators has offered the school a discounted rate if they purchase before March 1, Williams said. If you or anyone you know has information on grants or special funding, contact Katie Williams, director of advancement, at 336-564-1009 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Bishop McGuinness High School joins Christ the King High School in Huntersville in offering an FAA-approved introduction to aviation curriculum, in which students also learn the fundamentals of aerodynamics, airplane systems and flight simulation, navigation and flight communications.
— Kimberly Bender, Online reporter
Pictured: Sophomore Josh Hanflink operates the newly-installed Aviation Simulator at Bishop McGuinness High School. Students in this course, taught by Dr. John Robinson, are able to gain a genuine understanding of aviation and aerospace while providing the information necessary to make good university and career choices if they decide to choose this path. (Photos provided by Katie Williams)