Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-11-19
Helena High Hos Course
I'm Vocational AerOnQutiCs

Vocational training in Montana is
rapidly reaching a status wherein IL
soon will be in a leading position In
the United States. Helena Is showing
the way with the consolidation OF the
vocational element IN education with
phases of the general high school cur
riculum. Few places in the west are
as well equipped as in Helena, school
officials say. Few vocational centers
are as modern, or the advanced
thought so far-reaching to its students.
Under the direction of L. w. Fair
ner Helena's vocational program is
going on apace. Airplanes are being
built, modern air engines being re-
paired, woodwork, SteelWork, lathe
work, metal finishing and general me-
chanical repair are being featured.
Fifty automotive-mind students are
finding their niche; among them are
the outstanding students of the school.
In the Helena vocational school, ef-
forts have been directed toward the
field Of aeronautics. This, in view OF
the fact that it is a mechanical trade
and representative of almost all me-
chanical trades. Fundamental branches
of mechanics are closely related. Avn
alton engineering marks the acme OF
engine skill.
According to Fahrner, all students
nautics. Only those whose interest and
abilities indicate their possibilities are
considered.
To enter the aeronauticS course the
student must have one year OF drafting
and one year of mathematics, as well
as the regular required high school
subjects. He Is eligible for aeronauticS
in his junior year.
Service and repair work on licensed
airplanes is done by second-year
students. During the past year this
department has overhauled and re-
built many airplanes and Is continuing
to do so at an ever increasing tempo.
All repair work is done for the cost
Of materials plus q IS percent shop
charge. The money thus raised, and 1t
has reached ample proportions, is put
back into the shop for new equipment.
The Schedule
The following systems OF atrplane
overhauling are followed in the shop,
according TO Mr.. Fahrner:
The airplane is taken first to the
hangar room Of the vocational build
ing, where It is carefully inspected by
the crew assigned to disaSsemble 1t.
Each department is manned by stud
ents who are specializing in the work
Of that department. Crews are changed
only twice each semester.
The wings are removed, uncovered,
inspected and sent to the woodwork
ing crew. Repairs to the wings are
then made and the wing passes to the
covering and finishing room. Here
they are covered with airplane fabric
that has been made to fit by the per-
sonnet Of that department. Doping
and finishing follow, and the wings are
returned to the hangar, or assembly
floor. Disassembly has, of course; been
completed by this time and the various
units of the ship have gone to the
various departments. The motor has
gone TO the engine room where 1t Is
completely taken apart. Here all parts
are checked for wear and cracks. A
medium powered microscope is used to
detect cracks in pistons, housings and
castings. The needed repairs are made,
new parts installed and the engine re-
assembled 1t is given a four-hour
breakin and test run after which all
clearances are again checked.
Ready for Use
The engine Is now ready for use, and
is made ready for the assembly. The
fuselage has gone to the welding. de-
partment, where all YIELDS have been
cleaned and inspected for cracks or
possible failures. All corrosion proof
ing has been removed from the tubing
and repairs required have been made.
1t now goes to the painting and finish
ing room where new corrosion proofing
is applied. Painting and vanishing
then Is done. The landing gear and
controls have accompanied the fuse
lage, and when repaired, are sent to
the assembly floor. The assembly
proper is done by the rigging crew.
The airplane then is given its test
flight and turned over to the owner.
When enrolled in the course, first
year students VIII spend the entire