The schedule of senior Ethan Poe is just like any other senior’s schedule, with one small discrepancy. He takes his history, English, science and math classes at the school, but he takes his favorite class a couple of miles in the sky.
Soon after taking the new drone and aviation class last year, taught by aviation teacher Harvey Paneitz, Ethan discovered a newfound passion: flying. Now in a practicum class, Ethan is working on obtaining an official pilot license. He expects to have the license by the end of the school year.
“I originally wanted to be an engineer when I was younger, but being a pilot completely took over my dreams,” Ethan said. “I don’t think I was meant to be an engineer. Piloting came as a surprise to me. It was never something I really wanted to be, it just came out of nowhere, but I’m glad it did.”
Ethan’s interest in flying began as he took the drone and aviation class last year, largely because of Paneitz.
“I liked that he focused more on learning than grading us,” Ethan said. “He always made sure we got something out of the class instead of getting the credit and moving on.”
In the drone and aviation class, students learn about aviation maps, aviation weather and many other topics.
“Ethan decided that he really liked aviation and he wanted to go further in it,” Paneitz said. “The drone program was the doorway for him to learn about aviation, and he just continued on from there.”
Because Ethan enjoyed the drone and aviation class so much, he decided to take an aviation practicum class this year.
“I go to a practicum class during school, so that’s when I started getting serious about flying,” Ethan said. “I love how hands-on and exciting flying is. Everytime I go up there, something new happens and it’s great.”
The practicum class Ethan is in involves travelling to an airport and getting hands-on experience flying planes.
“Practicum is a practical pathway to prosperity,” Paneitz said. “It gives kids an opportunity to start their life and career early. Because of it, Ethan will have an actual pilot license before he’s an adult.”
In order to obtain your pilot license, certain requirements must be met. In addition to 40 hours of flying being required to even apply for a license, both a written test and a pilot’s test, where a pilot assesses the applicant’s flying ability, are also required to receive the license.
“Ethan is a very hard worker and he’s found his passion with flying,” White House 1 Secretary and Ethan’s mother Kimberly Poe said. “I’m excited for him because he found something that he wants to do for the rest of his life. I’m extremely proud of him.”
So far, Ethan has completed multiple cross-country flights, which is a flight over 50 miles. This includes his longest flight of approximately 80 miles to Brenham, Texas.
“Practicum gives these kids a unique opportunity to start life fast,” Paneitz said. “Ethan is going to go off and be a pilot someday, and I’m excited to say that it started here. This program started from scratch, and here we are now.”
After graduation, Ethan will attend Stephen F. Austin University for their selective aviation program that only accepts 50 students a year.
“I want to be a pilot for the airlines, that’s my goal,” Ethan said. “I first noticed I wanted to do this full time last year in Mr. P’s class, then I ended up falling more and more in love with it. If you find something you love, put your mind to it and work hard for it because with work, it will be worth it.”
