PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Visit Farmington www.farmingtonnm.org Discover Farmington, New Mexico, where adventure meets charm! Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, we turn every visit into a vibrant experience. From scenic trails to local delights, Farmington is your playground for fun and relaxation. Unleash your inner explorer with us—every day is an adventure! students at a critical stage, providing aviationrelated STEM courses during their first and second years. “It’s geared towards allowing them to speak aviation lingo,” he explains. As juniors and seniors, students can branch into specialized instruction, focusing on engineering, piloting, mechanics, and drone operation. The program’s affordability is a key factor in its appeal.“The cost is like $2,000 to $3,000 a semester for the school, which is pennies,” Lewis points out. This low cost makes the program accessible and ensures it can reach a broad demographic, including the 33% Native American population in the local school system. “This will help maybe grab a bunch of those young folks and give them the enthusiasm to follow through,” he says, highlighting the potential impact on underrepresented groups. This combination of infrastructure improvements and educational initiatives at Four Corners Regional Airport highlights a forward-thinking approach to fostering growth and opportunity in the region. Lewis mentions pursuing the establishment of an avionics repair station. “There are so few avionics shops in this area,” he explains. “I’m sure it would boom and benefit the community and the entire region.” Currently, aircraft owners must endure long wait times and travel to Alamosa, Colorado, or Albuquerque for avionics work. The shortage of aviation-related technicians is a critical issue.“There’s a critical shortage of aviationrelated technicians of all fields,” Lewis emphasizes.To address this, the airport has proactively engaged with local high schools to introduce the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) STEM program. “This four-year STEM program is incredible,”Lewis says, detailing the comprehensive curriculum designed to inspire high school students. The program targets 52 AVIATION VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 04, ISSUE 03
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