High School Student Gets Private Pilot Certificate Flying STEM Project Aircraft

Published in Midwest Flyer – October/November 2020 issue

WESTOSHA, WIS. – On July 11, 2020 – just 7 days after his 17th birthday –Travis Senft, a student at Central High School in Westosha, Wisconsin, passed the flight test for his Private Pilot Certificate. He took his flight test in “Falcon Two,” the second RV-12 aircraft built by his high school STEM class.

“I feel I could have done my soft-field landing better, but I nailed my spot landing,” said Senft. Travis is the son of high school teacher, James Senft, who started the STEM program at Central High School. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics.

Travis soloed on the 4th of July in 2019, which was his 16th birthday. (Yes, before he could drive to the airport himself.) His goal after graduation is to become a corporate pilot.

During the summer, Travis worked for the local fixed base operator. He started his junior year in September and has been on the academic honor roll since the 6th grade.

In addition to flying, Travis is on the high school varsity trap shooting team that has won numerous state and national titles. He earned his Boy Scout Eagle Scout rank at the age of 15 with over 40 merit badges and holds the rank of Brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow.

Anyone interested in making a donation to the Central High School STEM program, may email James Senft at senftj@westosha.k12.wi.us

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