Retired UCA teacher Gene Poole held 3 introductory aviation workshops in February,
March and April for students from the aviation classes at United Christian Academy. A
total of 6 students have participated in the 2 hour Saturday workshops held at the work
area located on the school’s future site property in Lakeville. The new tools and
materials were provided through a grant from MINNDEPENDENT, a Minnesota
organization whose mission is to provide private and independent schools with the
tools necessary to be successful in their efforts to educate students in grade
school, high school, college and toward their future careers. The first workshop
completed an aluminum binder kit designed by Zenith Aircraft company to introduce
processes and skills required for aircraft construction. The students learned how to
properly prep the assembly parts removing all burrs and sharp edges. Then they
followed step by step instructions to drill and rivet the pieces into a nice binder used to
store assembly instructions. In subsequent workshops students have worked on
completing a wing cross section kit, also supplied by Zenith Aircraft. Most of the
students had never used a rivet gun and were unaware of the procedures and
techniques used to insure quality construction of aircraft. Students will also be exploring
various systems of the KR-1 airplane that was donated to the school. The ultimate goal
is to develop a vocational program at UCA that would teach job skills that can be used
in the aircraft industry and elsewhere.