To the editor:

I sent a copy of this article (“Bonita Springs High School students can earn pilot’s licenses”) that appeared in the local Banner Newspaper (the-banner.com, February 20, 2019) to the chairperson of the E.P. School Committee.

There is a shortage of about 145,000 pilots and Air Traffic Control people today.

Young people find high school in some cases to be irrelevant in finding skilled jobs in the future. Education at that level can’t be just about ABCs. There should be electives in their freshman year for the future. Let’s start thinking out of the box for the needs of the future.

Here is one area where the airline industry would be willing to kick in money and resources for their R&D future, like simulator time, etc...

(The program) has gotten rave reviews by students and the public taxpayer.

Richard A. Ferreira

Bonita Springs, Fla.

EPPD Capt. (ret)

Editor’s note: The article referred to in this letter states students participate in a four-year program called “Aerospace Academy,” which teaches basics about aviation and affords them the opportunity to earn their private pilot’s license. Training also includes the use of drones and flight simulators.