CTEC
Aviation
Students enrolled in CTEC’s brand new Aviation program will experience a variety of careers in the aviation industry as they take their CTEC classes at the Salem Municipal Airport.
What is Aviation?
Students enrolled in CTEC’s brand new Aviation program will experience a variety of careers in the aviation industry as they take their CTEC classes at the Salem Municipal Airport (free transportation provided). Working alongside industry professionals, students will have the opportunity to earn licensure as an airplane pilot, an aircraft maintenance technician, or a drone pilot. The program has many local industry partners as well as partnerships with national companies such as Alaska Airlines and Garmin. Students with an interest in flying, building, or repairing planes or drones will gain valuable experience and certification in the CTEC Aviation program.
Why
We want our students to be ready for whatever comes after high school. CTEC’s Aviation students work with state-of-the-art simulators, software, and equipment and learn the skills necessary to succeed in flying airplanes, repairing various airplane systems, and programming and operating unmanned autonomous systems (UAS). CTEC Aviation students graduate ready to fill the high-demand jobs in this industry. Our students are ready to start their careers with the following industry-relevant skills and knowledge:
- Interpret meteorological conditions and apply them to flight planning and aircraft operations
- Operate, maintain and repair avionics systems including communications, navigation, flight control, etc.
- Perform aircraft maintenance using current and emerging tools and technology
- Understand and implement the engineering process as it applies to drone programming and operations
- Specialize in either airplane piloting, aircraft maintenance, or drones.
- Certified with the general knowledge portion of the Airframe and Powerplant
- FAA Part 61 Private Pilot Ground School & Written Exam
- Certified with FAA Part 107 Drone Operator’s License
- AMT Snap-on NC3: Hand Tools, Torque concepts, tools, and hardware, Structural Sheet Metal Assembly, and Precision Measurement (AKA: PMI)
How
Students in Aviation learn contextualized science and English. Students receive coaching and resources to explore career options they may want to pursue directly out of the program or with continued education. Coupled with the experiences they have throughout this program, they graduate with a plan and the ability to adjust the plan throughout their career. With a foundation of industry-standard skills, rigorous science and English training, and the ability to interact with state-of-the-art equipment, our students are ready to pursue their dreams and goals.
Aviation Staff
Instructors
Jason Leroy, Aircraft Maintenance
Jason Leroy came to CTEC in 2023. He earned a B.A. in Physical Geography at UC Santa Barbara and his M.A.T. at Western Oregon University. He has taught integrated science for 17 years. Prior to teaching, Jason worked as a United States Coast Guard Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT2) for 3 years. Jason’s favorite thing about working at CTEC is the relevancy of the instruction and the future possibilities for students that complete their education here. In his downtime, he enjoys surfing, camping, DIY projects, and traveling with family and friends.
James Hutches, Airplane Piloting
James Hutches joined CTEC in 2023. He attended Harding University and earned a bachelor's degree with an emphasis on science education. James joined the CTEC team, following a decade as a business owner and time as President of the Keizer Chamber of Commerce. James was first introduced to CTEC through partnerships between the school and the Chamber of Commerce, where he volunteered as a guest speaker and served on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Drones and Robotics program. James began flying at the age of 12, and soloed at the age of 16 and has been flying ever since. He has years of experience in airport and airline management with Skywest, Delta and United Airlines, and flight school operations. James’s favorite aspect of CTEC is seeing students rise to the expectations of having a professional mindset and working hard to achieve their goals. He really enjoys watching students’ growth throughout the year and the relationship-building that happens with students from different high schools. Outside of work, he has served in the United States Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, for over 30 years, teaching youth leadership and aerospace education and serving in Emergency Management. He enjoys spending time with his family camping, flying airplanes, and volunteering in the community on various boards and events.
Kari Carr, English and Science
Kari Carr earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Science Education from Western Oregon University. She has been dedicated to teaching since 2002, serving students at Crossler Middle School for more than two decades before joining CTEC in the 2025-26 school year.
New to the aviation field, Kari brings her passion for education and a deep commitment to student growth. Her favorite part about working at CTEC is empowering students to explore career knowledge and skills that will guide them in their future paths of life.
Outside the classroom, Kari enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, camping, riding quads at the sand dunes, and just about anything that gets her outdoors.
Ronnie (RJ) Hampton, Drones
