Aviation Students Complete College Credit While in High School

As Coastal Alabama continues to expand, Dual-Enrollment at the Fairhope Academy is soaring to new heights as students in the Airframe and Powerplant program work towards their licenses.  

Like most high school seniors, Brenden Geffre and Evan Woods are enjoying their Senior year. However, by the time they graduate from high school, they will have completed a little over a third of their Associates Degree from Coastal Alabama Community College.  

Brenden Geffre, who looks to work for a local company before possibly expanding outside of the Alabama Gulf Coast, will have completed 5 of the 15 classes towards his Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification and 4 academic classes towards his associates degree. When asked why he chose aviation Geffre said "I wanted to work my hands and airplanes have always been interesting and I love that it’s detailed. I love that it has specific steps and that you must follow them before you go to the next.” 

His classmate, Evan Woods, who will have 7 A&P classes upon his graduation in May of 2023, stated "I've always loved planes. When I was in 9th grade, I attended a career day and saw aviation mechanics and felt drawn to them. It was from then on I was hooked and in love. I also loved how much money they can make." 

"Yea! That's always a plus. I like the money too" Geffre responded with a smile to his classmate’s comment. 

When asked about these students Mr. Callais stated that they are great students and have done exactly what Dual Enrollment is intended for. "They are getting ahead. They will be able to graduate and begin working at 19 and 20 years old and attain jobs as aviation mechanics." He also noted that they are also NC3 and 504 Multimeter certified and will be PMI certified soon. 

For more information about the Dual Enrollment Programs at Coastal Alabama please visit https://www.coastalalabama.edu/academics/high-school-programs/high-school-dual-enrollment/.