Bassick Students In Bridgeport Build, Take Flight In 2-Seat Aircraft

Information from Three Wing Aviation:

BRIDGEPORT, CT — After nearly three years, the students in the Tango Flight program got to take flight in the two-seat plane they constructed.

Excitement filled the atmosphere at Three Wing Aviation, located at Sikorksy Memorial Airport, as the students prepared for takeoff surrounded by close friends and family, and their Tango Flight volunteer mentors. Representatives from Bridgeport Public Schools were also in attendance for the groundbreaking event.

The Tango Flight program at Bassick High School was started by Aaron Hollander, CEO of First Aviation Services Inc. Hollander piloted the plane and safely guided the students in a 10-mile radius around the airport and along the Long Island Sound.

“I’ve had a love of aviation for my whole life, and I just felt it was a great way to expose the students,” he said. He discovered the Tango Flight program when it was only in a few schools, mostly magnet schools and STEM programs. Hollander approached the governor’s office with the idea to start the program and with the support of the Bridgeport Board of Education, the program took off.

This is the first Tango Flight program to be hosted at an inner-city school. Tango Flight provides all the materials, tools, and instructions to build the airplane.

During construction of the aircraft, Three Wing Aviation was there to assist. In March, the aircraft was transported to Three Wing Aviation, where it was stored and underwent proper testing to ensure it complied with FAA regulations and passed all safety inspections.

“Three Wing has been a great support, especially Ken and Jared,” Hollander said. Ken Smith is the General Manager and Jared Gowlis is the Director of Maintenance and Avionics at Three Wing Aviation. “If we had a question about what we were doing, these guys were super helpful.”

“For me, it doesn’t matter if the students go into aviation, I think it is a wonderful career with a tremendous amount of opportunities,” Hollander said. “Regardless of what they do, if they can get the exposure and think beyond the borders of Bridgeport, that was my goal.”

Each student buzzed with palpable excitement as they boarded the aircraft.

Tiany Perez was one of the students who worked on the aircraft before graduating in 2023. Thanks to the Tango Flight program, she discovered a love for aviation and then got a job working on the line crew at Three Wing Aviation.

Perez said that growing up, she didn't think that this was an opportunity that was possible for her and now, she's overjoyed to have found her passion.

“When I started working at Three Wing, that’s when the aviation world really opened up for me. This is the life I want to live,” Perez said.

When the students arrived safely on the ground, they were left in awe by the view beneath them in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“This is a great opportunity for the students,” said auto shop teacher Steve Blume, who helped guide the students in the class. “When they finish the program, the students get certified in sheet metal, riveting, drilling, all the skills they learned when building this plane. And they can get hired right away with those certificates.”

Thanks to the Tango Flight program and Three Wing Aviation, the students were able to fly to new heights in a monumental flight they will never forget.