The Bulletin -- January 13, 2010 (#1024)

BILL ROWE MANUVEURS THE THROTTLE CONTROL FOR A JET ENGINE WHILE FELLOW ROTARIANS LOOK ON.

Program: Jim McCartney—Field Trip to Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute

Jim McCartney is Project Coordinator and the Principal of the Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute. He reminded club members that PAI is our facility—everyone’s facility. Owned by Clinton County and operated by BOCES, PAI is a public educational program and paid for by tax dollars, grant funding and charitable contributions.

In the last five years, $18 million dollars, including $3 million in grants and donations such as a plane given to PAI by Dr. George Boolukos, have helped the Institute “take flight.” In addition to the aeronautical school, PAI has a first class welding program and a strong focus on different forms of transportation.

The education that BOCES students receive from the Institute will also earn them college credit. McCartney thanked Clinton Community College for its continued support. Because of the partnership between PAI and Clinton Community College, high school students completing the program can earn up to 36 college credits.

Students at the Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute learn how to work with composite materials, aircraft paint, metal work, electric wiring, hydraulics and much more. The hands-on approach to fixing landing gears, testing jet engines and working with the mechanical components of the planes makes the PAI a top notch education facility.

The classroom isn’t a typical chair and desk program. As Rotarians stepped into one of the classrooms it was hard to miss the helicopter in the center. The rooms have smart boards and state of the art computer technology.
Other classrooms include various aircraft, welding labs, a power plant program, an F-16 jet engine, reciprocating engines, PT-6 jet engines, and a small engine program. McCartney explained that once students complete the program, they are prepared according to industry standards to work on jet engines anywhere in the country.

Members toured the facility for the remainder of the program and were encouraged to ask questions as they explored the classrooms. For many members, the highlight of the tour was the jet engine run-up demonstration.

PAI HAS RECEIVED MANY DONATIONS TO HELP GET ITS PROGRAMS OFF THE GROUND. THE PLANE (ABOVE) WAS ONE OF THOSE GENEROUS DONATIONS GIFTED BY DR. GEORGE BOOLUKOS. BELOW: ROTARIANS TOURED THE PLATTSBURGH AERONAUTICAL INSTITUTE AT THE FORMER CLINTON COUNTY AIRPORT.

This Week:

• The Membership Committee will meet at 11:10 a.m. next Wednesday, Jan. 20.
• New Member Orientation will be held Friday, Jan. 29(8 a.m.) at West Bay Financial.
• The Board Meeting will be held at CCC Dining Hall (PARC) on Monday, Jan. 25 at Noon.

Guests: John Conroy (Don Moore), Mary Goddeau, Scott Hyden and Patrick Ryan (Roger VanGuilder)

Announcements:

• Carmen Carpentier announced a Gifts Committee meeting at 11:30 a.m., Jan 20th, at the Elks’ Lodge.
• Kerry Haley said the Sunrise Club’s will be holding a winter carnival on Sat., Jan. 30 at the May Currier Park. Enjoy ice skating, bonfire, etc. Tickets: $2.

Another Candle Burning For: Maria Alexander (1/19)

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