WATSONVILLE — Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) announced Wednesday the takeoff of a first-of-its-kind Career Technical Education (CTE) Engineering Technology pathway focused on the aviation industry.
The new pathway will enable PVUSD high school students to build a fully-operational Van’s RV-12 airplane from the ground up. This extraordinary opportunity is made possible through an innovative partnership between PVUSD, Monterey Bay DART, City of Watsonville, Watsonville Municipal Airport, EAA Chapter 119, Tango Flight, and Joby Aviation.
Through this new CTE pathway, students will receive foundational academics with hands-on training in aircraft maintenance, aviation safety, aeronautical engineering, and flight systems. Under the mentorship of industry professionals, and using a comprehensive aircraft build kit shipped directly to the airport, PVUSD students will assemble a fully-functioning aircraft that will ultimately go into operation.
“This is more than a CTE program—this is a runway to the future,” said Dr. Heather Contreras, PVUSD Superintendent of Schools. “Our students will graduate not only with job-ready skills but also with the confidence that they can design, build, and operate advanced technology. We are grateful to our incredible partners for opening doors to careers that once seemed out of reach for so many young people in our community.”
The program brings together public and private sector leaders and innovators to provide students with access to real-world aviation and aerospace experiences, helping to build a local talent pipeline in a rapidly growing sector in the Monterey Bay region and beyond.
Made possible in partnership with DART, “The RV-12 Airplane Build Lab represents a bold extension of our commitment to cultivating an inclusive, future-ready workforce by directly engaging high school students in hands-on, high-tech learning,” said Josh Metz, Monterey Bay DART Executive Director.
“This program provides critical on-ramps to high-demand careers with fast-growing companies and sectors across the emerging aviation economy. We’re honored to expand our collaboration with PVUSD, Joby Aviation, the City of Watsonville, and our vibrant network of community partners who recognize the extraordinary opportunity our region has to lead in the Advanced Air Mobility industry. We’re deeply grateful for the continued support of the James Irvine Foundation, whose investment makes much of this possible.”
Tamara Vides, City Manager of Watsonville, said the city is proud to support this pioneering effort. “Watsonville and the Watsonville Municipal Airport are leading the way in shaping the future of workforce development. This isn’t a simulation — it’s the real thing. This program exemplifies the power of collaboration between public education and cutting-edge industry. It’s a model for what’s possible when we invest in our youth and provide them with authentic experience in aviation under FAA-aligned standards.”
The Watsonville Municipal Airport will serve as the key site for student learning and future flight testing.
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), an organization whose mission is to promote aviation experience and careers among youth, will provide space in their airplane hangar for students to utilize.
“The EAA 119 chapter is proud to support PVUSD’s new aviation-focused Engineering Technology CTE pathway. Inspiring the next generation of aviators, engineers, and mechanics has always been a core to our mission and there is no better way to do that than by putting tools in students’ hands and letting them build something extraordinary. We’re thrilled to open our hangar to this innovative program and help students discover firsthand the possibilities of a future in aviation,” said Tom Hail, Chapter President, Watsonville Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 119.
Joby Aviation, a Santa Cruz-based advanced air mobility company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, will contribute technical guidance and industry insight to support students’ exposure to the latest in sustainable flight technology.
“Building an airplane from the ground up teaches the kind of problem-solving and technical grit that can’t be learned from a textbook,” said Cody Cleverly, Workforce Development Lead at Joby Aviation. “Students will gain mechanical skills and systems integration expertise, positioning them for a successful career at the forefront of sustainable aviation.”
The program is anchored by Tango Flight, a national nonprofit that empowers high school students to build fully-operational aircraft as part of their curriculum offering. Their comprehensive instructional model includes technical manuals, instructor training, and aircraft kits designed for the classroom and for building competencies that enable students to access engaging hands-on learning experiences.
“We believe in learning by doing,” said Dan Weyant, Executive Director of Tango Flight. “There’s no substitute for the moment a student tightens the last bolt and sees the aircraft they’ve built with their own hands take flight. That moment changes lives — and we’re excited to make that possible for students in Watsonville.”
The program is set to launch in Fall 2025, with recruitment and training for students and staff beginning this summer. This innovative new aviation-focused CTE Engineering Technology pathway represents a bold step forward for PVUSD’s commitment to preparing students for high-wage, high-demand careers in science, technology, and aviation.
TOP PHOTO: Van’s RV-12 airplane • Press Release by Santa Cruz Works