Aviation High School is certified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration for the training of Aircraft Maintenance Technicians. Students who successfully complete the school's technical programs are allowed to take their FAA certification examinations without further qualification. In order to achieve this, students at the school spend about three to four periods every day in "shop," technology related classes that concentrate on every aspect of an aircraft's structure, systems, and components, as well as more general aviation subjects such as aerodynamics and Federal Aviation Regulations. These specialized classes are taught by FAA-certificated AMTs, many of whom are themselves alumni of the school.
Facilities and Physical Plant
The school's present, main campus, which was completed in 1958, occupies an entire city block at the intersection of Queens Boulevard and 36th Street. The seven-story school building houses academic classrooms, specialized aviation maintenance labs, and a hangar where most seniors apply the skills they have obtained to the maintenance of retired aircraft, many of which were donated by the U.S. military. In October 2000, the school also opened an extension campus at John F. Kennedy International Airport referred to as "the Annex". Prior to the completion of the Queens Boulevard campus, the school had been located in Manhattan and had been known as the Manhattan High School of Aviation Trades. Almost 55% of Aviation High School's teachers are alumni.
School Property
Aviation High School is one of the largest high schools in the city of New York. The school occupies a whole block right next to the 33rd Street–Rawson Street station, served by the 7 train, and Queens Boulevard. It is composed of seven floors, a hangar with multiple general aviation and World War II aircraft, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, and a dedicated hangar. The school is divided into two parts, one section where most administration offices and academic classrooms are located and another section dedicated to aviation maintenance labs, "shop classes", that run from the ground floor up to the sixth. An elevator and two escalators also run throughout the seven floors of the building. Starting in the 2015-2016 school year, the school has undergone major renovations and upgrades that have included a newly renovated gymnasium, cafeteria, rooftops and windows in the auditorium, gymnasium and hangar.
Notable alumni
Michael Bentt, former WBO World Heavyweight Champion and actor went to Aviation H.S. for three years prior to dropping out when selected for the U.S National Boxing Team.
Whitey Ford attended and graduated from Aviation High School when it was located in Manhattan. The School was officially Named Manhattan High School of Aviation Trades. There were two buildings, one on East 63rd Street in Manhattan and the other one block away on East 64th Street.
Frank Gustave Zarb, an American businessman and former Republican politician. He is perhaps best known as the chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange during the dot-com boom of the late 1990s. He is also known for his role as the "Energy Czar" under President Gerald Ford during the 1970s energy crisis.
