George F. Baker junior Phineas Landgraff is soaring to new heights through his passion for aviation and leadership. As a first-year student in the Aviation program at Orange-Ulster BOCES, Phineas is part of an elite group of 20 students in his class and approximately 80 in the program.
Phineas's curiosity about aviation began as a child, inspired by frequent flights during family vacations. “Since I was little, I have always enjoyed aviation and flying. I thought it would be a great career option.” Now, he spends half of his school day immersed in the industry, splitting time between classroom instruction, simulators, and actual flight training at the Orange County Airport in Montgomery.
In the classroom, Phineas has mastered the basics, including reading weather patterns, understanding aircraft parts, and studying engine components. He is currently learning about the effects of wind, weight, and balance on flight. At the airport, he puts theory into practice, logging flight hours that contribute to earning him a private pilot license by graduation.
The Orange-Ulster BOCES program also offers hands-on experience with simulators, ranging from basic models to an exact replica of an aircraft at the airport. For Phineas, the real highlight is the opportunity to fly. "We get to schedule flights for our training, and it’s all paid for. It’s incredible to actually get up in the air."
Beyond BOCES, Phineas serves as Cadet Commander in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), a federal auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. For the past two and a half years, he has led his squadron of 30 cadets, organizing drills and guiding training exercises. CAP’s mission is multifaceted, including search-and-rescue operations, aerospace education, and volunteer service. Phineas has participated in power flights, glider training, and even earned plane marshalling certification through the program.
One of Phineas' most memorable experiences while on his CAP journey was attending the week-long New York Wing Encampment at Hancock Air Force Base in Syracuse, where he engaged in rigorous military-style training. “It was challenging but so rewarding. I learned leadership skills that I brought back and put into practice with my squadron.”
Phineas has a post-graduation plan that includes pursuing a degree in aeronautical science to help him achieve his dream of becoming a commercial pilot. With the aviation industry facing a pilot shortage, Phineas’s timing couldn’t be better. He envisions flying international routes, combining his passion for aviation with his desire to explore the world.
Phineas is proof that when passion takes flight, the sky is truly the limit.