Sleuthing Series — Aviation

JCCC Archives presents the Sleuthing Series, where every Tuesday, we bring you an image from our past and ask you to help us find out more!

This photo was taken on September 24, 1972, the day of the new College Blvd. Campus Dedication.  This is directly in front of the EMC building, facing North.  The OCB and CEC buildings were built more than a decade later.

What We Know

  • The first course catalog, released in January 1969, listed the Aviation Institute.  The objective of the institute was “To provide career programs for students seeking jobs as:  1. general aviation pilots,  2. managers in aviation,  3. aircraft maintenance technicians,  4. airline hostesses, 5. air traffic controllers.” (pp. C3-C5)   On pages C14-C16, a total of 18 individual classes are described.
  • Space was leased at Johnson County Airport for instruction and flight training.  Other classes were held in the Central Services Building at 5538 Merriam Drive, the Shawnee Campus Building at 11310 Johnson Drive, as well as other classroom locations on the Merriam Campus.
  • Due to the nature of these classes, students would pay class fees ranging from $450 to $930 in addition to tuition.
  • In the summer of 1974, there was a tragic accident involving a student who was hit and killed by a taxiing plane.  The accident happened at a St. Joseph, Missouri airport, and the student was judged not at fault.  Nevertheless, the aviation program was discontinued the following May.  Selected aviation classes were (and are) still taught thru Community and Continuing Education.  The account is given in Charles C. Bishop’s 2002 history of JCCC.

What We Don’t Know

  • One of the instructors is identified below.  Do you know the names of other flying instructors?  Can you identify them in photos below?
  • Can you tell us about other aviation people and places not identified?

If You Know More…

  • Contact  librarians: Anita Gordon Gilmore (agordong@jccc.edu, ext. 4369) or John Russell (jrussell@jccc.edu, ext. 3284).  You may also comment below!

For More Information…

February 1973.  The person on the right, above, may be Jack Alvers, Instructor of Aviation.

 

February 1973.
Asst. Chief Pilot John Clark gives instruction regarding the flight deck of a small plane.  February 1973.
October 1972.
Private Pilot Ground School, May 1973.
Private Pilot Ground School, May 1973.
Private Pilot Ground School, May 1973.
Private Pilot Ground School, May 1973.
Sign on door: “Johnson County Community College Flight Section,”  May 1974.
May 1974.
November 1992.
November 1992.
November 1992.