Aviation
The school has always welcomed changes and embraced new technology. It was the first school in Kenya to introduce Aviation Technology as an examinable subject. In 1961 Brother Michael Stimac introduced new science activities at the school. He started the Amateur Radio Club and Electronics. He also started the Air Programme to interest the boys in things connected with aviation. He aimed at building interest in things connected with aviation such as weather, mechanics, radio, the physics of aviation, designing, plotting air speed and ground speed and allied operations. This became a success. Many Mang'u students joined the Air Force and the East African Airways. The first training programme was inaugurated by Minister for Education, Hon. Otiende on 25 July 1963. This was on the school’s airstrip which was constructed by the boys on the land of Mr. Peter Harries who also lent all the machinery. The minister landed on the airstrip in a Cessna aircraft. 6 boys were taken for the first two training flights by Captain Z. Boskovic. Other training flights were to be given by Bro. Michael, the school’s science teacher who was also a qualified pilot. This first flight was watched by an old boy, Mr. Hillary Ngweno who was then working with Esso Company. The company was giving 500 gallons of petrol towards the programme. Mr. John Gordon, the Vice-President of Blackwell Campling offered the company’s Cessna Aircraft to be used for training 60 boys up to a reasonable level of flight and mechanical training. The Company also gave 150 hours free flying time to the school.
In 1983 President Daniel arap Moi was having a function at Central Province and stopped by the school's gate to greet students and inquired about the Aviation program which used to be offered at Mang'u. He was told they did not have a teacher and instructed the Ministry of Education to post a teacher to the school so that next time he passes by he should find the course being offered. In 1984, The Teachers Service Commission posted Mr.Francis Obilo to teach Aviation Technology. He taught and left for Kenya Airways. In 1987, Mr. Aloys Owiti was posted to take over. The K.I.E instituted a panel to write the syllabus based on the 7-4-2-3 but the first group had not done practicals hence were given certificates of participation. The first form one intake of 1987 started the subject with a draft modified by the Directorate of Civil Aviation, Kenya Polytechnic, Kenya Technical College, Mang'u, K.I.E and Kenya Air Force Technical College (K.A.F.T.E.C). Fifteen students did their exams in 1990. The course has been very popular. In 1995, Mr. Mugo Gicobi was posted from the Kenya Air Force to reduce the workload which was over 40 periods per week. Mr. Julius Asiro also joined the following year but left for Makini School. Mr. Simeon Situma an alumni and former Aviation student was also posted to the school. The program is open to anyone during the first two years but only the top 20 performing students are selected to proceed in the final two years of High School.
The Aviation Technology program is the school's pride and is heavily focused on technical skills such as propulsion, thermodynamics, meteorology. The Aviation students undertake most of their studies at Wilson Airport and Moi Air Force Base in Embakasi. The aviation workshop is undergoing upgrades. The original Schweizer Aircraft glider N3909A used by the Marianist Brothers for Aviation training crashed and became unairworthy hence is in the workshop as a memorial and is used for educational purposes only. The school acquired a Beechcraft Queen Air 5Y-MHS twin engined light aircraft. The Kenya Air Force assists with repairs of the aircraft and training. The school received a lot of materials, tools and teaching aids from various Airlines such as Kenya Airways, Airkenya Express, CMC Aviation, Aviation Luxeken and British Airways. Kenya School of Flying used to give scholarships during the last two years of High School to the students. The visits to Wilson Airport continue, to keep the student abreast of new technologies and many students obtain internships and permanent employment with regional airlines and the national carrier Kenya Airways. Some have proceeded to join the Kenya Air Force while others have studied Aeronautical Engineering at American, British and Russian universities.
The school needs a properly equipped hanger to house its aircraft and perform practicals and ground and flight training so that students don't have to miss classes to visit the respective places for their education. The school is appealing to its well wishers to continue supporting the future of Kenyan Aviation.
Read more about this topic: Mang'u High School