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Downingtown West High School Project

Program Goals:
Generate an interest in STEM and expose the many career paths to teens in aerospace. Participants will be working on an RV-12 kit aircraft utilizing various materials and tools alongside mentors and instructors. The program will introduce the evolution of flight, physics, propulsion, flight planning, navigation, design, and flight physiology.
SAF will supply a partially built RV-12 aircraft for the duration of the project. SAF and the participants will need to raise additional funds to purchase the finishing kit, tools and supplies. Please consider making a donation to this project.

Program Location:
Downingtown Area School District -Downingtown High School West - 445 Manor Ave. Downingtown, PA 19335

Participants:
High School grade 10-12 Project "Lead the Way" - Honors Aerospace Engineering Students, Honors Physics Students

Instructor Backgrounds and Credentials:

Dr. Gavin B. Speirs, Graduate Instructor, Department of Applied Engineering, Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Dan Hart - Engineering Teacher and Technical sergeant Pennsylvania Air National Guard

Mr. Thomas Steinmacher - Physics and Aerospace Engineering Teacher.

RECENT PROJECTS

VANS RV-12 BUILD

STUDENT BUILT SIMULATOR

Stratus Aviation Foundation (SAF) is a 501(C)3 and non-profit organization relies on public donations to operate all programs. 100% of all donations go directly towards project expenses and flight training scholarships.

SAF began operations in 2013 as a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting aviation and careers that involve STEM education by giving young people the opportunity to build real airplanes and flight simulators. Aircraft construction and aviation related projects provide an exciting opportunity to motivate kids to learn virtually any facet of science, technology, engineering and mathematics as applied to this program. In addition to STEM, SAF believes in promoting General Aviation and helping it survive and hopefully thrive at airports that face struggles.

Now in a formal partnership with Brandywine Aviation and Maintenance & Temple University Engineering, SAF has several aviation STEM related projects operating at multiple locations.

Located at historic Wings Field where
AOPA was founded.

TESTIMONIALS

June 22nd, 2016

Dear Dimitri,

First of all, I would like to extend my gratitude to you and your team at Stratus Aviation Foundation and The Uncommon Individual Foundation for your mentorship in the field of aeronautical engineering over the past few years. I cherished every moment of my experience with the Stratus Aviation Foundation building aircraft and studying flight at Wings Field, and learned so much that I can apply to my undergraduate studies. Your inspiring words and dedication to the program supplemented my eagerness to learn and influenced me to hone my career focus down to Aerospace Engineering. In August, I will attend the Schreyer Honors College at The Pennsylvania State University, pursuing that very major and looking forward to a future of innovation and mentorship. Thank you and the Uncommon Individual Foundation for all of your support.

Sincerely,

Himavath Jois

Stratus is happy to announce the recent purchase of a RedBird FMX full motion flight simulator!

Testimonials

CURRENT PROJECTS

ABOUT US

Stratus Aviation Foundation (SAF) is a 501(c)(3) mentoring organization that encourages and enables people to pursue their aviation passions.

The aeronautics programs are located at Brandywine Regional Airport in West Chester, PA and is comprised of students and professionals. Our simulator build is being completed at Temple University in Philadelphia.

We typically meet every Saturday between 10am and 3pm with the exception of holidays. We do not operate on a regular schedule during July and August to accommodate vacations. Due to covid 19 we are not having group sessions until further notice.

The students are from a variety of backgrounds ranging from Jr. high school to college level. Program mentors include Dimitri Vassiliou (founder of the program and lead mentor), board members, pilots, and aircraft mechanics. Together, the mentors and students are currently building a 2-seater, single engine RANS S7 airplane. In a partnership with Temple University Engineering we are also completing a full motion Cirrus trainer with Garmin avionics suite. There is also a family of drones that consist of a tricopter , quadcopter, and hexacopter. Stratus's most recent success is the completion and FAA certification of a Van's RV-12.

For more information, please use the "CONTACT US" button located at the top of the page.

ABOUT US