American Airpower Museum and Barry Tech Prepare HS Students for Aviation Careers

PRESS RELEASE

American Airpower Museum is partnering with the Nassau BOCES Joseph M. Barry Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, offering internships for local high school students pursuing various careers in aviation. One example is the current internship program for Aviation Operations Teacher Evan Damadeo’s afternoon classes of graduating seniors.

Mr. Damadeo’s students intern every Thursday and Friday afternoon for a full year at American Airpower Museum (AAM) at Republic Airport in Farmingdale, New York. His students are responsible for maintaining the Museum’s military aircraft by cleaning and waxing them. They also learn about aircraft mechanical systems and aviation history while working at the Museum. Barry Tech’s industry partner Lawrence Starr, Museum Manager, has mentored Barry Tech high school student interns at AAM for 10 years!

Mr. Damadeo graduated with a Bachelor of Aeronautical Science Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he obtained his Commercial Single and Multi-Engine Instrument Airplane Rating, plus a Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument while completing college. He is also Chief Flight Instructor and General Manager of a local Fixed Based Operator located on Long Island since 2015.

Other Barry Tech courses prepare students for the Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot Written Exam, plus provide aircraft flight training that can be credited toward a Private Pilot License. Some students supplement their flight training at Republic Airport with private lessons enabling them to complete their first solo flight and earn their Private Pilot License while still in high school!

Barry Tech of Westbury is a CTE center for 11th and 12th grade students from Nassau schools. Aside from Aviation Operations, other internships cover Automotive Repair, Carpentry, Computers, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, Dental Assistant, Fashion Design, HVAC/Plumbing, Law Enforcement and Nursing, among others. After a two-year internship, students receive certificates and pursue part and/or full-time jobs, or even college, based on their excellent Barry Tech educational experience.

The American Airpower Museum says that if you run a business that would like to partner with Barry Tech, take their students as interns or hire them, you can contact Lauren Engels, Work-Based Learning Coordinator, at (516) 622-6864, and/or email [email protected]. They further note that if your son or daughter is interested in attending one of Barry Tech’s career and technical education CTE programs, please have them speak with their High School Guidance Counselor for more information.

The American Airpower Museum is an aviation museum located on the landmarked former site of Republic Aviation at Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY. The Museum maintains a collection of aviation artifacts and an array of operational aircraft spanning the many years of the aircraft factory’s history. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Educational Foundation Chartered by the New York State Board of Regents.

Luc Zipkin

Luc Zipkin grew up in Middlebury, Connecticut, in a family passionate about aviation, inspired by his grandfather who became a pilot after WWII. Luc soloed in gliders at 14 and flew a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub at 16. Now a commercial pilot and flight instructor, he runs a tailwheel flight school. He volunteers with the Tunison Foundation, the Commemorative Air Force, and private warbird collections. As the founder of Young Pilots USA, Luc's writing has appeared in AOPA Pilot and EAA's SportAviation. He joined Vintage Aviation News in 2023 and is pursuing a degree in politics, history, and engineering design at Wesleyan University.

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