# Teens to build airplane in two weeks **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 26, 2014, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teens-to-build-airplane-in-two-weeks/691718 "2014-06-26T18:42:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teens-to-build-airplane-in-two-weeks/691718/1 "2014-06-26T18:42:35Z")
[Glasair challenges teens to build an airplane in 2 weeks](http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20140625/SCBJ02/140629530/1005/Glasair-puts-teens-behind-the-wrench-#) > [@](#): > > Alberto Carlos Alvarado, Joshua Carlson, Kenneth Ellis, and Jose Rodriguez Jr. were the winners of an aviation-based competition where the prize consisted of getting to build a Glasair Sportsman in two weeks, plus lodging and tours of local aviation companies. > > The competition is run by General Aviation Manufacturers Association and Build A Plane, which is a nonprofit organization that helps bring aviation and aerospace education to schools. Oh, how I wish I could have done this sort of thing when I was in high school! ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teens-to-build-airplane-in-two-weeks/691718/2 "2014-06-26T19:51:17Z")
Yepper, great opportunity & much fun… ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teens-to-build-airplane-in-two-weeks/691718/3 "2014-06-26T21:13:59Z")
I have a nephew who was a grade behind, when his high school, through a generous private donation, offered a course to top students that combined building an aircraft from a kit, which involved all the math and physics, then flying lessons leading to pilots licence, and flying the plane they built. But a kid dropped out at the last minute so they offered the spot the the top student in the next lower grade, my nephew. In fact, as a result he had a pilots licence before his drivers licence! Went on to obtain a computer science degree, then decided he wanted to fly airliners. Got accepted, finished the course in the top of his class. Then, before he graduated he was approached to enter training as an air traffic controller. It was surprising, but he does have just the right disposition, in fact. I’m sure he thought he’d never get out of school. He’s now an ATC at one of this countries largest/busiest airports. They did theirs over the course if a school year, not two weeks but I’m certain it will profoundly impact some students. A great opportunity. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2014, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teens-to-build-airplane-in-two-weeks/691718/4 "2014-06-26T22:45:48Z")
Anyone else bothered by the headline and thread title? They’re building an airplane two weeks from now? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2014, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teens-to-build-airplane-in-two-weeks/691718/5 "2014-06-27T05:36:03Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > ::: snip :::: > > He’s now an ATC at one of this countries largest/busiest airports. > > They did theirs over the course if a school year, not two weeks but I’m certain it will profoundly impact some students. A great opportunity. What a cool thing. Great story & tell him this old pilot appreciates the job he does.