Ninth grade students in Magruder High School’s Aviation Pilot/Unmanned Aircraft program visited Aberdeen Proving Grounds’ Weide Army Heliport on September 12, 2024, where they learned about aviation career paths and helicopter maintenance from Army personnel.
According to MCPS, “On Thursday, September 12, 2024, ninth grade students enrolled in Magruder High School’s Aviation Pilot/Unmanned Aircraft program had the unique experience of visiting Aberdeen Proving Grounds to tour the Weide Army Heliport. The heliport is an active military site that houses several rotary wing and support unites from the Maryland Army National Guard.
During their visit, students learn about Blackhawk, Chinook, and Lakota Helicopters. Through their interactions with Army personnel in the hanger and maintenance shop, students were able to learn first-hand about different aviation career pathways and their roles in maintaining and fixing the Army’s fleet of helicopters.”
Aviation program supervisor Steve Boden noted, “We are grateful for the partnership that Michael Smith (program lead at Magruder) has established with Army personnel at Aberdeen Proving Ground. It is important that our students are introduced to as many career options as possible and that they begin to realize that every industry is multi-faceted with opportunities that utilize their skillsets. For example, often times, when we think of military, we immediately think of joining the armed services to defend and protect. We want students to begin to realize that aeronautical careers are not solely based out of airfields, but aeronautical engineers and pilots are needed in other industries as well.”