BRIDGEPORT– The Harrison County School System has been partnering with Pierpont Aviation Programs to have career exploration presentations to 11th and 12th grade students at all five high schools and 8th grade students at all four middle schools. Dr. Brad Gilbert, Senior Professor and Director of Aviation Technology, and his team are also hosting field trips for interested students.
On Friday, October 3, 2025, 9 to 11 a.m., approximately 40 students from Robert C. Byrd High School and United HS will be going on a field trip to the Pierpont facility at the Robert C Byrd National Aerospace Education Center at 1050 Industrial Blvd. in Bridgeport, past Maple Lake.
Students will tour the facility and hangar and get a close up view of the airplanes. They will also participate in a hands-on activity related to aviation. Students will be able to view the general area that houses the airport and aviation companies, like MHIRJ, Pratt & Whitney, Aurora Flight Sciences, Lockheed Martin, and several others.
The aviation industry in our area continues to seek employees for many unfilled positions. Harrison County Schools and Pierpont Aviation Maintenance program have been successful in increasing student interest in the local Aviation industry with the presentations and field trips for the last two school years. The program at Pierpont now has a wait list and the school is in the planning process of building a new hangar and teaching facilities.
Harrison County Schools and Pierpont Community & Technical Aviation Maintenance Program have partnered to teach our students about the aviation opportunities in their own back yard along with a chance to see it for themselves.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Geraldine Beckett, CTE Liaison Specialist, Harrison County Schools, at 304-326-7387, or at