GRAND ISLAND -- Grand Island Public Schools launched their aviation program for high schoolers last week -- only the second opportunity like it in the state. 

Norris said the attention should be entirely on the students. 

 
"I get paid to come to work; they're the ones putting in all this time," he said. Norris continued that it's not all easy and fun to fly a plane. Rather, it takes a lot of math, focus, and wisdom. 
 

The class is part of the aviation career path, one of 20 career-based curriculum GIPS offer. The aviation path has within itself five specific focuses, including engineering for example. 

Student Ethan Thame wants to hone in on understanding the mechanics of a plane, as he wants to be a plane crash investigator. 

"I've always been drawn to what causes that," Thame said. 

Some of the students got to try out the planes Feb. 18, such as William Keller. 

"I had nerves at first but it dissipated," he said, elaborating that the scenery was beautiful. He wants to be able to travel and see places like Florida, and then eventually travel the world and see even Russia one day. 

Academy Principal Matthew Wichman said the students' first flight was one of the most exciting days of his career. 

The class size is expected to increase to almost 50 next year. Norris said he is more excited on being able to graduate at least one student with a pilot certification, first. 

"They've signed up and been waiting for this since they were sophomores," he said. "I'm very proud of them."