John Garzione of the Experimental Aviation Association walks students through the safety checks that pilots make before every takeoff. The students were attending the DCMO BOCES Aviation Careers Day at the Sidney Municipal Airport on Friday. (Photo from DCMO BOCES)

SIDNEY - Students from Unadilla Valley CSD and Cherry Valley-Springfield CSD attended Aviation Careers Day at the Sidney Municipal Airport on Friday, October 3.

The event was organized by DCMO BOCES, and introduced the students to a variety of aviation-related careers, showcased a number of aircraft and aviation services, and provided an outdoor lunch while aircraft practiced landings and takeoffs.

Students rotated through a variety of presentations from Bernie Ford of Delaware Aviation, John Garzione of the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA), John Welch from the Mohawk Valley Community College Aviation Technology Program, and two young pilots and alumni of the Schenectady Community College Aviation Program, Jonathan Ryan and Chris Bell. They also go a close-up look at one of LifeNet NY’s air medical services helicopters and an opportunity to ask questions of the crew (flight nurse, flight paramedic and pilot).

“One of the students who attended the Aviation Careers Day found the event to be a true learning adventure, telling me ‘this was the best day ever,’” said Martha Ryan, DCMO BOCES Enrichment Coordinator and organizer of the event.

DCMO BOCES has organized a series of college and careers enrichment programs for area students and schools for the 2025-2026 school years, covering a range of academic and career interests. For more information on these programs, visit https://sites.google.com/dcmoboces.com/2025-26-enrichment/home.

- Information from DCMO BOCES