FYREBURG — Do you have an interest in aviation?

Eastern Slope Aviation Academy could open some doors to careers in aviation.

The Board of Directors of the Eastern Slope Aviation Academy (ESAA), located at the Eastern Slope Airport in Fryeburg, plan to open membership in the academy to the general public on July 1, 2021. Public membership will help fulfill ESAA’s mission to provide an introduction to careers in aviation to people of the Mount Washington Valley and western Maine. 

Offering membership to the general public is a way of reaching more potential aviation students, who might be further along in their career aspirations or those who simply want to take flight. ESAA has a Cessna 172 that will be available for training, and the academy is planning to add additional aircraft to its training fleet as funding is secured. Instruction will be given by one of several certified-flight instructors, who have expressed interest in teaching students as ESAA works toward formalizing its staff. 

“We also are working with our local FAA Flight Standards Office to be sure of full compliance with applicable regulations,” officials said. 

To date, the Aviation Academy focus has been on providing an introduction to aviation to STEM Aviation students at the Mount Washington Valley Career Technical Center through the use of the Academy’s Redbird flight simulator, which will also be available to general members. A similar introduction will be provided to 14 Fryeburg Academy students during May Term. 

“There is a great deal of local interest in flying and careers in aviation,” says Ed Bergeron, president of the Aviation Academy. “Every week or so, I get an inquiry from someone who is interested in learning to fly or who started flying years ago and is interested in finishing their license. There also are a few licensed ‘rusty pilots’ who would like to get current and start flying again and we are introducing a program to address that need.” 

In addition to affordable flight training the Academy has secured (through a generous donation) a Grumman aircraft, which will be used by those interested in aviation mechanics and avionics. This plane will be completely rebuilt over a period of two to four years by interested young people under the direction of a licensed aircraft mechanic. A fundraising project has begun to finance the rebuild and a Go Fund Me page has been established. 

The Aviation Academy also plans to provide speakers and regular programs for those interested in careers such as air traffic control, business of aviation, military careers in aviation, drones, ultra-lights and aviation engineering. Programs on aviation weather and mountain flying are also being considered as well as other events like pancake breakfasts and fly-ins, which will be held at the airport.

The Eastern Slope Aviation Academy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and its operation depends on volunteers, grants and donations. To donate or learn more about the Aviation Academy contact Ed Bergeron at Ed_Bergeron@yahoo.com or call 603-387-5883. 

Follow ESAA on Instagram, Facebook, and its soon to be completed website at www.easternslopeaviationacademy.org