SJVA Aviation History

• Start of SJVA’s Aviation Club. Middle and high school Aviation Club continues to be offered each week since its inauguration.

• Aviation Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematic (STEAM) projects implemented into 7^th grade mathematics classes

• Start of SJVA’s Summer Aviation Academy. The Summer Aviation Academy continues to be offered each summer

• Hired an aviation professional consultant, Tom Evans (Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument, Airline Transport Pilot, Airframe & Powerplant mechanic) to teach, mentor, and advise the program.

• SJVA staff attended AOPA's 2nd annual High School Aviation Symposiums - Seattle, Washington (2016)

• First SJVA staff member certified with a California Aviation Designated Subjects Credential
• SJVA received University of California / California State University approval to teach Aviation 1: Ground as a college prep / Career Technical Education elective course
• SJVA offered its first Career Technical Education (CTE) aviation course – Aviation 1: Private Pilot Ground. A total of 20 Students enrolled for Aviation 1 with 5 being female and 15 males
•  SJVA received and started using Precision Flight Control’s Advanced Aviation Training Device.
• AOPA High School Aviation Symposium - Forth Worth, Texas (2017)

• SJVA received University of California / California State University approval to teach Introduction to Aviation as a college prep / Career Technical Education elective course
• SJVA offered Introduction to Aviation. A total of 47 students enrolled with 10 females and 37 males. Offering both Introduction to Aviation and Aviation 1, SJVA now has a Career Technical Education Pathway that students can complete.
• AOPA High School Aviation Symposium - Louisville, Kentucky (2018)

• Second SJVA staff member received a California Aviation Designated Subjects Credential SJVA received University of California / California State University approval to teach Aviation 2
• SJVA received 5 Redbird Jay Velocities to add to its flight simulation lab.
• SJVA’s first student, Isaiah Alford, took and passed the FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Exam.
• SJVA was awarded American Airlines Flight Grant to be used to fund student flight training opportunities. 13 students participated receiving over 120 hours of flight instruction.  
• AOPA High School Aviation Symposium - Denver, Colorado (2019)

• Third SJVA staff member certified with a California Aviation Designated Subjects Credential and Career Technical Education Credential.
• Two graduating seniors have continued to pursue a pilot career and one as an airframe and powerplant mechanic. 
• AOPA High School Aviation Virtual Symposiums (2020)

• First current SJVA students completed their solo flight, Haley Rodriquez (7/3/21), Jayden Vanegas (3/28/21), Ricardo Acosta (4/24/21)
• First current SJVA student to earn their Private Pilot certificate - Haley Rodriquez (12/17/21)
• Acquired and started building a Vans RV12iS airplane. 
• AOPA High School Aviation Virtual Symposiums (2021)
• Three graduating seniors have continued to pursue a pilot career.

• Graduating Class Post-Secondary Education Pathways - three students pursuing pilot pathway, three students pursuing aerospace engineering, two students pursuing airframe and powerplant mechanic 
• Acquired a hangar at Hemet Ryan Airport and moved the RV12 build project to the hangar  
• AOPA High School Aviation Symposium - Memphis, Tennessee (2022). 

 

SJVA is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization