Ohio Hi-Point (OHP) Career Center Aviation Occupations students Brendan Gallagher (Graham High School), Adam Schultz (West Liberty-Salem High School), and Andrew Fansler (Urbana High School) competed at the SkillsUSA state competition and placed third in the Career Pathways Transportation category. Their project was to build a low-cost ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) -In system which receives critical safety information for pilots such as aircraft identification numbers, velocity, location, altitude, and other safety information like weather data that is sent out from air traffic control towers in the area.
It is required by FAA law that all planes have ADS-B out transmission devices, however, not all planes have to have a ADS-B receiver device installed. For flight safety, it is very useful for pilots to have that real-time information and most will purchase the devices even though they average between $600 and $1,000 per device, however, the aviation students successfully assembled an inexpensive device that receives the same information for $160 using a Raspberry Pi kit. For their presentation at state, the OHP aviation students displayed pictures from a test flight, examples of the devices range, the performance comparison with other expensive models, and critical safety information such as the location of other planes that are flying very close. The affordable receiver features a notification system that alerts the pilot of other nearby aircraft that otherwise would be very difficult, if not impossible, to see in person. “The device was able to show us an aircraft that was flying only 300 feet below us, which is really close,” said Adam Schultz. “It actually took us a couple of minutes to locate the aircraft with our eyes even after the display notified us of its location.”
The students enrolled in the Aviation Occupations program at Grimes Field in Urbana work on projects in the OHP hangar, prepare for their pilot certifications or collegiate programs, and assist with the B-17 Flying Fortress project located in the Champaign Aviation Museum.
About Ohio Hi Point
The Ohio Hi-Point Career Center develops our most valuable resource, people, by providing quality career-technical and academic education programs. Our High School and Satellite Divisions serve juniors and seniors from 14 partner school districts and offer more than 30 career training programs, while our Adult and Continuing Education Division has a strong focus on customized training, providing businesses the training needed to strengthen, and prosper in, the community.
The Ohio Hi-Point Career Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Superintendent Dr. Rick Smith | 2280 St. Rt. 540 Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311 | 937-599-3010