Denver -- The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) donated a jet engine to the airplane hangar of West High School where young and eager students explore the science of aviation. On Monday, September 12, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. this prototype Continental J69 engine was presented as part of an Education Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the U.S. Air Force Academy's Department of Aeronautics, Emily Griffith Technical College and Denver West High School.
In close partnership with Emily Griffith Technical College (EGTC), West High School is one of only a few such programs in the country, promoting aviation maintenance technology to high school students interested in a career in aviation or simply curious about how mathematics and physics are applied in air travel. EGTC has prepared students for employment for the general and commercial aviation industry since 1948.
Making the presentation was Colonel Brent A. Richert, Chief Scientists and Director of Research, USAFA. Accepting the engine were Mr. Santiago Grado, West H.S. principal and Mr. Brad Vickers, Emily Griffith Technical College Director of Administrative Services and Dean of Trades and Industry. Other dignitaries included Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg, and a few members of the Colorado legislature and representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Students enrolled in the program at West High School are introduced to hands-on technical training while increasing their awareness of careers in airframe and power plant maintenance. The contribution of this jet engine will allow them to explore the functions of the various components as well as examine the airflow through the engine and the overall operation of a jet engine.
Any DPS high school student can concurrently enroll in the Federal Aviation Administration-certified aviation program, which is offered through the Emily Griffith Technical College and taught at West High School. This program is one of only a few such programs in the country.
For interested juniors and seniors from Denver Public Schools, this program is tuition free, as part of Denver’s concurrent enrollment initiative. This is the most affordable Aviation Maintenance Training program in the region. The program is open to students outside of Denver with a class fee. The program is the most affordable such program in the region and can be completed in less than two years.
As part of Denver Public School’s concurrent enrollment initiative, interested juniors and seniors can complete 26 college credit hours and 450 hours of aviation maintenance training by the time they graduate from high school. The classes establish a valuable pathway for students to begin their aviation studies and pursue a college education at Emily Griffith Technical College.
Students enrolled in the Aircraft Maintenance Program at EGTC, established in 1948, complete airframe and power plant training at the state-of-the-art training center located at Front Range Airport in Watkins, Colorado. The Federal Aviation Administration certifies the Emily Griffith Technical College aviation program. Hands-on training teaches students to diagnose and repair aircrafts from small propeller driven airplanes to large commercial jets.
The engine (Model Number: YJ-69-T-9 Turbojet, Serial Number: T-321048) was crafted by Continental Aviation and Engineering Corporation and was a prototype for the Cessna T-37 Trainer Aircraft which was the primary trainer for Air Force pilots since 1957. A first-generation turbojet, the permanently non-functional engine is cut in half along the length of the engine, allowing students to observe the air and fuel flow paths. On display in the Academy’s Aeronautics Laboratory for more than 30 years, the engine has served as a teaching tool for cadets, allowing them to better visualize gas turbine engine concepts.
This prototype Continental J69 engine was donated to Denver West High School as part of an Educational Partnership Agreement between USAFA’s Department of Aeronautics and Emily Griffith Technical College. Nearly 50 years after this post-World War II engine was certified for air worthiness in 1956, this partnership allows the engine to continue as a display in service to education for at least another 50 years.
As Colonel Neal Barlow, chair of the Academy’s Engineering Division expressed, “We are excited to share this engine with West High School as an excellent teaching tool and to motivate another generation of students to pursue careers in both aviation as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.” Brigadier General Dana Born, Dean of the Faculty at the USAFA remarked, “The United States Air Force Academy is pleased to contribute this piece of Air Force aeronautics history to the students and faculty of West High School and Emily Griffith Technical College. Our hope is that it will help inspire Denver Public School students to pursue a career in the areas of aviation-related science, technology, engineering and mathematics, to the greater benefit of our nation.”
Emily Griffith Technical College: EGTC is the post-secondary arm of Denver Public Schools. Its mission is to provide knowledge, skills and values that enable students to compete successfully in the workforce and be self-sufficient citizens and lifelong learners. The school, founded in 1916 and turning 95 years old this fall, serves as the premier college of excellence in the delivery of career and technical education, offering more than 40 certificate programs and 12 trade apprenticeships. It has annual enrollment of approximately 10,000 students and has assisted over 1.6 million students attain the skills necessary for initial employment, career advancement and further education. For more information about the technical college, visit www.EmilyGriffith.edu.
