Back to School

Back to School

Back to School

Back to School

Back to School

Back to School

Back to School

Back to School

Back to School

Flight School

Double Eagle Aviation’s Cessna 172 is prepped for an instructional flight.

Flight School

The instructional flight paralleled Interstate 19.

Flight School

The Explorer’s Randy Metcalf, left, takes the controls from Double Eagle Aviation’s Chief Pilot Samuel Ragland during an instructional flight last week.

Flight School

Kids participating in Aero Camp can sign up for flight time during their weeklong camp at Double Eagle Aviation. For adults wanting to learn to fly, they can sign up by going to www.letsgoflying.com.

Solar at schools

J.D. Fitzgerald/ Special to the Explorer, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and George Villec of Geo Innovation discuss the solar panels atop the awnings at La Cima Middle School, where 54 solar panels, background, were installed in February 2008. The system generates approximately 15,000 kilowatt hours per year – enough energy to power 1.5 average-size homes, saving the burning of seven tons of coal per year and preventing the release of 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Last Thursday, Giffords announced introduction of the new Solar Schools Act, which would make it more affordable for schools to install solar power systems.

New school

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Construction is under way at the Steam Pump Village shopping center for a BASIS Charter School. BASIS schools have branches in Tucson and Scottsdale and officials want to open the campus by August, in time for the next school term.

School's out

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Following the graduation ceremony, Ironwood Ridge High School graduates look for friends and family.

School's out

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Though not technically allowed, some Ironwood Ridge High School students managed to smuggle a beach ball or two onto the field for the graduation ceremony. The inflatables lasted only seconds before being blown away or confiscated by school officials.

School's out

Randy Metcalf/The Explorer, Some Ironwood Ridge graduates-to-be found mortarboards difficult to keep on in the high winds.