Aviation

 Our Mission

To provide students with a challenging Christ-centered education 

that interactively prepares them for rewarding careers 

in the Aviation and Aerospace Industry

About Our Program

• A 4-year STEM-based aviation curriculum
• Sponsored by Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
• ”You Can Fly” syllabus

5 pathways of study

1. Elective

2. Aircraft Pilot

3. Drone Operator

4. Mechanic    

5. Management

What makes our Aviation Program unique?

• Discovery flight
• Instructors with aviation backgrounds
• Small classroom sizes
• Interactive syllabus & Field trips
• FAA approved simulator
• FAA written exam
• Private pilots license
• Commercial drone certificate
   

Aviation Labs

• Internships in chosen pathway of study
• Hands-on experience
• Off-campus during academic school day
• Junior & Senior year

Preparing Students for Aviation Careers

• Pilot
• Drone Operator
• Mechanic
• Management
• Air Traffic Control
• Engineering
• FAA
• Dispatcher

Instructors

Jeff Strange: Aviation Director

jestrange@gcagators.org 

• Retired Naval Aviator with over 300 carrier landings
• Combat experience: Operation Iraqi Freedom
• Squadron Commanding Officer, VR-5
• Current Southwest Airlines Captain
• Over 15,000 total flight hours
• Ratings: Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)

Aircraft flown:

• Military: C-40 (B737), DC-9, F-14, F-117A, T-38
• Civilian: B737/150/172/Bonanza/Baron

Matthew Beaver: Aviation Instructor

msbeaver@gcagators.org 

• Retired Naval Surface Warfare Officer
• Commanding Officer: 4 Afloat Commands
• Ratings: Private Pilot Instrument

Aircraft flown:

• Civilian: 152/172/182/Piper Cub/Stearman/Piper Arrow

Endorsements:

• Complex
• High Performance
• Tail Wheel

Charlie Wise: Aviation Instructor

cswise@gcagators.org 

• Ratings: Commercial Pilot Multi-Engine

Aircraft flown:

• Civilian: 172/Piper Archer/Piper Semimole

  Endorsements:

• Complex
  High Performance