Soaring Above

Career & Tech Courses Launch EMS ISD Graduate to Career Heights

Mehtab Sandhu, a 2021 graduate of Chisholm Trail High School, recently had the opportunity to share his journey from a high school aviation student in EMS ISD to an aspiring commercial pilot. Sandhu took center stage at the 2024 Airplane Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) “You Can Fly” High School Aviation Summit in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Before an audience of more than 500 aviation professionals, educators and students, Sandhu spoke about his experiences in EMS ISD’s aviation program and the mentors who helped shape his career.

“EMS ISD has helped me a lot throughout my career so far. I’m extremely blessed to have been part of EMS ISD since kindergarten,” Sandhu said. “The way every teacher has pushed me to be the best – I would love to name some teachers who inspired me a lot when I was a kid, like Ms. Bragg, (former) principal of Greenfield Elementary; Ms. Dixon; Coach Hibbard; and Ms. Ethzal, my third-grade teacher. Then Mr. Rick Griffith prepares you for the real world.”   

Sandhu’s journey into aviation began at the Hollenstein Career and Technology Center (HCTC), where he enrolled in the district’s aviation program as a high school junior. The program, open to juniors and seniors across EMS ISD’s four high schools, uses AOPA’s  specialized curriculum and features flight simulators that provide students with hands-on training.  Griffith, the aerospace instructor at HCTC, was also featured in a video produced by AOPA that highlighted Sandhu’s achievements as an example of what high school students can accomplish through strong aviation education programs. 

The video showcases Sandhu’s  training and flight experiences, giving attendees an inside look at how EMS ISD prepares students for careers in a highly in-demand field.  

“When Mehtab walked in, he was excited and committed from day one,” said Griffith. “He’s a great example of how a student can have passion, put in the work, and turn it into a career. The AOPA materials break it down in a way high school students can understand,  giving them the tools to move into a job they love.”  

Sandhu said it was quite an honor to be asked to speak at the AOPA event, and it was a privilege to meet some of the mentors who continue to inspire him.   

“Nathan Miller, a former Blue Angel pilot, his expertise and mentorship have helped me a lot,” he said. “The whole experience was just unreal – more than 500 people watching me as I was giving a speech. It was a privilege to be up on that stage.”  

Since graduating, Sandhu has continued his pilot training and now flies privately while working toward his goal of becoming a commercial pilot. He also finds joy in teaching the next generation of aviators.  

“Flying is one of the best things I have ever done,” Sandhu added. “I’m always happy to go fly a trip or even teach a student. When your student finally understands something, or when they pass a practical test, that is one of the happiest moments in my life  as a flight instructor.”  

As the demand for pilots continues to grow, programs like EMS ISD’s aviation course at HCTC provide students with a direct path into the industry, offering valuable training and real-world experience at the high school level.  Sandhu’s success is a testament to the impact of CTE programs in EMS ISD and the world-class educators who support students in achieving their dreams. 

Find out more about the career paths offered at the HCTC at EMSisd.com/HCTC