Career and Technical Education
Aviation Technology Pathway
From the Western Slope to the skies — GCSI students earn flight training credits and launch careers in aviation through our partnership with Colorado Northwestern Community College.
A Rare Opportunity on the Western Slope
Aviation is one of the most exciting and in-demand career fields in the country — and one of the hardest to access from rural Colorado. Garfield County School Of Innovation is changing that. Through our Career and Technical Education (CTE) Aviation Technology pathway, GCSI students gain hands-on exposure to aviation science, flight simulation, and ground school instruction while still in high school.
Our pathway is built in partnership with Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) — one of the most respected aviation programs in the nation, with over 50 years of flight training experience. GCSI students who complete the pathway can seamlessly continue into CNCC's Aviation Technology Flight AAS degree program, earning FAA certifications from Private Pilot all the way to Flight Instructor.
What Makes This Pathway Different
Ground School & Flight Simulators
GCSI students begin with ground school instruction and state-of-the-art flight simulators — building the foundational knowledge required for FAA certification before ever leaving the ground.
Concurrent Enrollment Credits
High school students earn concurrent enrollment credits toward CNCC's Aviation Technology AAS degree — getting a head start on a college credential while still in high school.
FAA Part 141 Certified Training
CNCC's FAA Part 141 certified program allows graduates to enter the airlines with reduced flight hours — a significant advantage in a competitive industry.
Mountain Flying Advantage
CNCC's Rangely Airport location offers 320+ flyable days per year and wide-open Northwestern Colorado airspace — where every flight is a mountain flying lesson.
Among the Lowest Costs in the Nation
CNCC's flight program costs are among the lowest in the country for degree-granting flight programs, and financial aid is available. GCSI's concurrent enrollment pathway reduces costs further.
Nationally Ranked Flight Team
CNCC is a member of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) with a nationally ranked intercollegiate flight team — giving students competitive experience alongside their training.
In Partnership with Colorado Northwestern Community College
Colorado Northwestern Community College has been teaching people to fly for over 50 years. Based out of Rangely Airport — a county facility managed by CNCC just two miles from the main campus — the program offers all levels of flight training and certification, from Private Pilot to Flight Instructor. With a college-owned fleet of aircraft, small instructor-to-student ratios, and 320+ flyable days per year, CNCC is one of the premier aviation programs in the Rocky Mountain region.
Credentials & Certifications Available
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Aviation Technology Flight
- Private Pilot Certificate
- Instrument Rating
- Commercial Pilot Certificate
- Flight Instructor Certificate (CFI)
- FAA Part 141 Certified Program
Where This Pathway Can Take You
Aviation is a high-demand, high-reward career field. GCSI's Aviation Technology pathway prepares students for a wide range of careers in the aviation industry:
Co-Founder Judy Brannberg's Aviation Roots
A Pathway Built on Proven Experience
GCSI's Aviation Technology Pathway isn't just a vision — it's grounded in real experience. Co-Founder Judy Brannberg worked extensively in Highlands Ranch to develop a similar aviation pathway for South Metro Denver schools, including three landmark initiatives:
- ✓Offering Aviation Classes at Centennial Airport
- ✓Partnering with the Young Eagles to offer free flights for teens
- ✓Giving tours to Metro State University Aviation Department
The power of aviation education runs deep in Judy's family. Her brother attended a similar Aviation Pathway program at AIMS Community College in Greeley, Colorado — attaining his pilot's license while still in high school. He went on to finish college in three years (because of the AIMS classes), became an Air Force Officer and Navigator on the B-52s, later taught at the Air Force Academy, and finished his distinguished career working in the private defense industry. That legacy of possibility is exactly what GCSI's Aviation Pathway is designed to create for Western Slope students.
Ready to Take Flight?
If your student has ever dreamed of flying, GCSI's Aviation Technology pathway is the launchpad. Submit a Letter of Intent to Enroll and let us know you're interested in the Aviation CTE track.