A young Bermudian whose dream is to get the Island's children interested in careers in aviation is aiming to open an aviation school.

Troy Thompson, who works at the Department of Civil Aviation as an Airworthiness Officer, and has been in the aviation field for almost 20 years, is developing a curriculum for the school which plans to educate high school students and adults.

The school plans to train students in everything from mechanics to practical flying lessons on a small plane and a helicopter to the business side of the aviation industry.

Although Mr. Thompson has yet to finalise a location for his school, he plans to establish it as a fully academic and accredited institution enabling students to graduate with a high school diploma with specific instruction in aviation.

While there is plenty of emphasis on careers in insurance and accounting in Bermuda, Mr. Thompson said the aviation industry is often overlooked locally ? a disappointment since it can provide so much opportunity for travel and professional growth.

"When I was young I was always fascinated by the ability of an aircraft to fly, it really fascinated and interested me," he said. "I feel like I can share that interest with young people today. It provides a wealth of opportunities from flying to mechanics and to the business side such as selling the air crafts."

Travel is also a bonus in the business, and Mr. Thompson said in an Island where people frequently travel youngsters who want to explore their interest will have the opportunity to do so at the aviation school. "It can take you all over the world and can provide for opportunities to rise from working as a mechanic to the business side such as selling, designing, and manufacturing side of the industry."

Having always had a fascination with technology, Mr. Thompson was first drawn to the industry when his mother suggested getting into aviation.

Mr. Thompson graduated from the Teterboro School of Aeronautics in New Jersey in his early twenties and went on to employment with People's Express ? an domestic airline in Newark, New Jersey in the area of interior maintenance.

He has worked with Continental Airlines as a Flight Line Mechanic in California and a number of aviation companies in the United States.

Over the last few weeks Mr. Thompson has been travelling around to different schools on the Island to make presentations about the industry and to gauge the level of local interest.

"This idea has really snowballed, I love imparting knowledge and would enjoy teaching classes in one of the power plant or aviation subjects. This is something that I have always dreamed of doing ? aviation is in my blood.

"I also believe aviation can change the mentality of a lot of young people, many kids have an aptitude to work with their hands and could feel like this is an outlet where they can direct energy into something positive.

Hopefully it will help young adults to feel that they can really stand out and accomplish something very worthwhile."Mr. Thompson recently went to a home school in St. George's run by DeVeene Hollis, who told the students were very interested in the aviation field after hearing the presentation.

"This is something Bermuda's children can look forward to doing, with us living on an Island its an opportunity to have many young men who are hands on but not so academic motivated about this subject and to stay in school to get their diploma with training in aviation," she said. Mr. Thompson said a recent conversation with a friend inspired him to continue his idea, which has been well-received by people he has talked to in the community. "They love the concept ? one lady in the grocery store told me that if it was the right price she would send her kids there. That's what made me even more enthusiastic."