CA Featured Program: Flight Expo Inc.

At Flight Expo Inc. in Minnesota, aviation education doesn’t happen in theory alone. It happens on the ramp, in the hangar, and beside real aircraft. Launched in September 2025, the NextGen Aviation Program is already proving what’s possible when structured curriculum meets real-world application. Led by Terra McGillivray, CFI-I, AGI, this first-year Choose Aerospace partner is building more than an aviation class — they are building a direct bridge into the workforce. 

A Strong Foundation with a New Structure 

While this is Flight Expo’s first formal year partnering with Choose Aerospace, the organization is no stranger to youth aviation education. Through its Build A Plane program, Flight Expo has served students ages 12–18 across Northwestern Minnesota for several years. Now, with the addition of Choose Aerospace, the program has taken a significant step forward. “The partnership has allowed us to build a structured aviation maintenance pathway and connect students to real postsecondary opportunities,” McGillivray explains. 

That structure matters. The program currently serves four students from Sherburne and Milaca Counties, and it operates in partnership with St. Cloud Technical & Community College, allowing students to see a tangible next step toward college credit and advanced training. In addition, partnerships with Princeton Public Schools and the Elk River School District are helping establish aviation as a real and attainable pathway within the broader K–12 ecosystem. ​

Photo Credit: Flight Expo, LLC.

Learning Where Aircraft Live 

Flight Expo operates alongside a flying club and an active maintenance shop — and that proximity changes everything. Students are not only studying aircraft systems. They are walking around them. Starting them. Troubleshooting them. One of the most powerful moments this year came during the Weight and Balance section of the curriculum. Half of the students entered the program passionate about flying. The other half was focused on maintenance. But as they progressed through the coursework, they began to see how deeply interconnected those disciplines truly are. 

“When we connected flight instruction concepts with maintenance principles, something clicked,” McGillivray says. “They began applying aerodynamic reasoning across both areas.” Even later in the curriculum, students continue referencing weight and balance concepts — not because they memorized them, but because they understand them. That shift — from memorization to mastery — is where real education happens. 

From Abstract to Action 

Another breakthrough came during the aircraft starting and emergency procedures sections. Because the program operates on an active ramp, students were able to immediately apply what they were learning in a supervised environment. They physically started aircraft and walked through real emergency scenarios. They made decisions in real time. 

“Watching them think critically through procedures and troubleshoot in real time transformed abstract lessons into meaningful decision making,” McGillivray explains. That kind of experiential learning builds something deeper than knowledge — it builds judgment. 

Surprising Strengths 

One of the most unexpected outcomes of the program has been the students’ natural aptitude in technical areas. Students who initially identified as “future pilots” developed a genuine respect for maintenance. Maintenance-focused students gained a stronger appreciation for flight operations. More surprising still was how naturally students embraced systems thinking and safety culture. 

“Each of them is leaving this program better prepared, more confident, and grounded in a culture of safety and excellence,” McGillivray says. “We believe they will contribute meaningfully to the aviation industry.” Academically, students have performed strongly in math- and science-heavy sections of the curriculum, requiring minimal additional support. Their assessment scores reflect not just competence, but confidence. 

Building a Sustainable Pipeline 

Community support has been essential to making the hands-on model work. Access to aircraft, tools, mentorship, and an active aviation environment allows the NextGen Aviation Program to deliver authentic training experiences. Partnerships with St. Cloud Technical & Community College help create a postsecondary runway. As the program grows, McGillivray hopes to deepen partnerships with local school districts and expand lab opportunities with additional equipment and structured classroom integration. Programs like NextGen are not simply offering enrichment. They are directly addressing the aviation workforce shortage by introducing students to maintenance pathways early and connecting them to both postsecondary and military opportunities. 

Photo Credit: Flight Expo, LLC.

Clear Goals, Real Direction 

Perhaps the most encouraging sign of success? All four current students have clear aviation goals. 

• Two plan to pursue flight-related careers. 
• Two are planning to enter aviation maintenance roles in the military. 

Each student is leaving the program more confident, better prepared, and grounded in a culture of safety and professionalism. 

More Than a Class 

At its core, Flight Expo’s NextGen Aviation Program combines structured curriculum with real-world application. Students are not simply consuming information — they are building habits of craftsmanship, discipline, and integrity. Choose Aerospace has helped formalize what Flight Expo already believed: Aviation maintenance is not just a job. It is a professional pathway that demands precision, skill, and pride. And in Minnesota, that pathway is already taking shape. 

For more information: 

https://flightexpo.org/nextgen-aviation-mechanic 
https://www.givemn.org/organization/Flight-Expo ​