Vice Chair Canal seeks commission support for high-school aircraft maintenance program

Vice Chair Philip Canal said he has convened a working group with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Indian River County career-technical staff to develop a four-year aircraft technician curriculum for local high schools. "Embry Riddle supports an aerospace curriculum at both Vero Beach High School and Sebastian High School already," he said, and added the program is being prototyped at Atlantic High School in Daytona Beach.

Canal said Embry-Riddle plans a timeline after the prototype completes next year, and the group is pursuing an FAA grant for equipment and supplies. He asked the commission to be informed and available to help liaise with the school district and City Council as needed; commissioners expressed support and suggested outreach (for example, a newsletter mention by Councilman Goss).

Canal described the pathway for students: the curriculum would prepare students for entry-level technician roles and provide a foundation for FAA airframe and powerplant certification later in their careers. He and commissioners emphasized that the program must move through the school district chain and that the commissionwould not unilaterally advance school-board curriculum changes.

Next steps: Canal said he would continue assembling timeline, space requirements and grant-application materials and keep the commission updated.