Not a typical shop class

West Valley City, Utah – June 13, 2008 — They took the class because it sounded like fun. But in the end, it was more than fun. For some, it was life changing. Granger High School science teacher and auto machinist Scott Lewis (EAA 776948) proposed a cross-curriculum project to build a four-seat composite airplane from a kit. He chose the Velocity aircraft because it came as a fast-built kit, with the wings, canard and fuselage built at the factory. More than two years later, the plane is nearly complete, just awaiting bolts to attach the propeller. What surprised students most about building an airplane? “Fiberglass is harder than wood,” said John Wallis, who now plans to join the Air Force. But student Robert Reese said he was most surprised that students could build an airplane in school. How many hours did they put into building the plane? “A ton,” Wallis and Reese said. The airplane cost $70,000 to build, and was funded, in part, by $17,500 in grants. To make up the difference, Lewis took out a second mortgage on his home. About 100 students from Granger High School and one from Olympus High School worked on the airplane. About 50 of those students actually built the plane beginning in January 2006 and lasting over three semesters. Students could continue working on the plane, even after the class was complete, through the school’s Aerospace Club. The names of students who helped build the plane were put on the plane’s fuselage. Wallis and Reese said it was “exciting” and “cool” to see their names on the finished plane. The airplane was a cross-curriculum project. The aerospace technology students built it, the auto body students painted it, and the graphics students created its artwork. Metal and wood shop students made parts for the interior, and a school-wide contest was held to decide on the plane’s paint scheme. More than 100 attended the May 24, 2008 party held to unveil the plane. The high school band and dance team performed, and about 50 students received Young Eagle flights. Lewis said he eventually plans to sell the plane. “I’d like my house back since my son needs a place to live,” he said. “But until then, I’ll learn how to fly it.” For more information on the project, click here.

Under the guidance of teacher Scott Lewis, center, students worked for more than two years to build and assemble Excalibur. Granger High School students worked for more than two years to build Excalibur, a single-engine kit airplane. The cockpit of the Velocity aircraft is filled with high-tech equipment. Photos courtesy of Scott Lewis.

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