Will was in the one of the first groups of students taught at SIA’s ground school. He is a certified Airplane and Powerplant Mechanic and attending college to gain his Avionics Certification. We spoke with him about his goals in aviation.
How did you find SIA?
That’s a tough one to answer, actually. My dad’s been buddies with Joe [Canepa] – they went to high school together, I’m pretty sure. Just being at the Baraboo airport was a big part, and since then I’ve seen plenty of advertisements. I was part of the first group, so it wasn’t as big yet. At the school now, they have the flight simulator and everything.
How does what you learned at SIA apply to the work you’re doing now?
It just introduced me to the possibility that it’s something feasible for people to do. I mean, aviation seems like a really foreign world to most people. Finding a way to make it seem really approachable and enjoyable just led me down the path. From just being at the airport, I started talking to the mechanic there and ended up interning with him throughout high school and then decided that’s what I wanted to do.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to stay on the general aviation side of things, on the smaller piston planes. Probably around Baraboo, ideally. I like the smaller stuff, it’s more approachable. It’s a lot more fun. I’m working on my private pilot license right now. I got my A&P this summer, I’m working to get my General Radio-telephone Operator license, and then my NCATT Aircraft Electronics Technician certifications. I want to just help people out and provide a good, fair service. Giving people what they need to enjoy flying.
Would you recommend SIA’s classes to anyone?
Absolutely. A hundred percent. I already do. I have classmates with younger siblings that tell their parents about it and their eyes light up, because it’s something that they thought they’d never be able to do. So to see that kind of reaction and the fact that people have interest in it but it’s such a foreign concept that it seems unreachable. Changing it from that to “no, this is something you can do” is awesome.
What is one thing you want to say to future students?
Don’t think it’s out of reach. It’s going to take hard work, but it’s well worth it. If you put the time in, you will definitely reap the rewards.
