FRANKFORD'S FIRST LICENSED PILOT (Part One)

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Frankford's Aviation Academy students soar to the top in 
determination and focus on the prize--a career in aviation. They are well on their way. As we did with Frankie Okapala's science business career from high school, college to career--we'll follow
Jonathan Suarez's growth steps from age 17, a senior at Frankford High through college (Temple University) to a career at age 23 as commercial airlines pilot. 

 

F-A.COM: It was a pleasure meeting a young man--at the time a senior at Frankford--who earned his private pilot license on April 2023 as a Junior (followed by a license in instruments)--so focused and determined to be a role model for others. I chatted with Jonathan and his mentor, Frankford's Aviation Teacher, Josh Bergerson, Creative Adobe Educator Level 2--about Jonathan's aviation achievements. We'll also get some more insight into Frankford's Aviation Academy.

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F-A.COM: How do you feel about earning your private pilot license as a junior in high school? (Editor's Note: With a great big smile, he showed me his private pilot license.)

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JONATHAN: I was happy and so pleased. I want to create a legacy for those behind me.  If you put your mind on what you want to accomplish and work hard, you can accomplish anything.

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F-A.COM: What inspired you to become a pilot?

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JONATHAN: When I was a kid, I took a lot of flights to the D.R. (Dominican Republic) where my family's from. From that point on, I knew I wanted to someday work as a commercial pilot for an airlines. I worked with my school counselor at Gilbert Spruance who helped me in this pursuit. At first, my counselor thought, the JROTC was the way to get started, but then we saw an ad about Frankford's new Aviation Academy. I knew that's where I wanted to be.

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BERGERSON: Jonathan completed 200 flying hours --80 of them with an Instructor.  He'll graduate from Frankford with a Flight Instructor Certification that enables him to teach pilot lessons at an aviation school.   

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JONATHAN: Eventually, I'll rack up the hours I need to get into the airlines at age 23. That's the age you can apply for a commercial pilot job. And from there, I'll keep building my legacy. I'm very grateful for this opportunity.​

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BERGERSON: He can work with smaller planes now. Jonathan was the first one to solo in this program. He also has his Drone Pilot License. He was a Drone Instructor at a couple of summer camps, last summer. The summer program is called Drone Cadets. It's based in New York.

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JONATHAN: I flew solo to Wildwood, New Jersey and the furthest was Connecticut. When I stopped to fuel, they asked: "how old are you?"

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F.-A.COM: What are your plans after you move that tassel? I plan to work as a flight instructor at Taylor Aviation, Inc., while I'm attending Temple University, majoring in accounting.

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F.-A.COM: What does your family think about your aviation training?

They love it. I've taken my brother and mother up. Josh was my first solo passenger. I flew us to the Poconos.

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BERGERSON: I bought us breakfast to celebrate.

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F.-A.COM: Frankford's Aviation Academy seems to function like a vocational school.

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BERGERSON: This is Principal Calderon's vision that our students get real life work experience while they're attending Frankford. This year, we have seven students in flight training and 12 in drone.  Second year students are currently working on their drone licenses. They start in 10th grade, where we provide a comprehensive introductory course on aviation drones, regulations and maintenance. Next year, we'll include an aviation maintanance program. They can get certified in all of these areas before they graduate from high school. 

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JONATHAN: You get out of high school and you can have a job.

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EDITOR: CHECK OUT PART 2--COMING SOON!