Top Gun Day gives high school students chance to share passion for aviation

Students at a Winnipeg high school felt the need for speed as they marked the 40th anniversary of 'Top Gun.' CTV Photojournalist Glenn Pismenny has more.

Students got the chance to find their wings Wednesday as part of the second annual Top Gun Day at Sturgeon Heights Collegiate.

Around 125 Grade 6 students participated in a variety of aviation-themed activities that were all taught by students in the aviation program at Sturgeon Heights.

“They learned about the four forces of flight, the wing design, rockets, Bernoulli’s principle, Newton’s laws, control services, controls using the simulators, and so on,” said Joe Vodopivec, the aviation instructor at Sturgeon Heights.

Top Gun Day coincides with the anniversary of the movie “Top Gun,” which came out on May 13, 40 years ago.

For Vodopivec, the day is about opening up younger students to the aviation world, but also giving his students the chance to show off their knowledge in a fun environment.

“They had a fantastic, fun time experiencing it. I’m very proud of my aviation students. They took on leadership skills. I could tell they really enjoyed themselves.”

Abel Menasie, a Grade 12 student at Sturgeon Heights, said this is a special day for him as it gives him an opportunity to mentor younger students and share his love for the aviation field.

“Seeing that they have an interest in aviation really makes me happy,” said Menasie. “I learn from them and they get to learn from me as well.”

Orenda Handel, another Grade 12 student, hopes her passion for aviation will inspire younger students to join the program like she did when she hit Grade 9.

“Knowing my passion for aviation will get to grow and flourish within the other youth, just like I was in Grade 9. When I first started out, it was just amazing, just being in this room and to be able to pass it on, the interest of the aviation industry, is really nice,” said Handel.

The aviation program at Sturgeon Heights started in 2002, making it the first high school in Canada to offer it. The program started with just 14 students and it has since grown to around 90.

Vodopivec said it really gives students a head start in the industry and many have gone on to have some kind of role in the field.

“I have alumni that have moved on (to become) local operators (of) airlines, flying for them, Air Canada, WestJet, F-18 pilots, mechanics, Nav Canada, controllers, airport workers.”

Vodopivec is already excited for next year’s event and for the new batch of students to come in and see what the program has to offer.