‘Sky’s the limit’ for Phil Campbell aviation program

PHIL CAMPBELL — Students at Phil Campbell High School recently had an unforgettable learning experience — one that lifted their studies to new heights.

As part of the school’s aviation program, the students participated in a hands-on field trip to the Russellville Airport, where they toured the facility, learned about aircraft safety and operations, and took flight in two aircraft piloted by program mentors Robbie Tidwell and Chris Williams.

The annual aviation field trip is more than a reward — it’s an extension of the classroom, giving students a real-world glimpse into what a future in aviation could look like.

The aviation program began a few years ago through a collaboration between local pilots Tidwell, Williams and longtime flight instructor Harry Mattox. All three men are passionate about aviation and about giving back to their community.

“We started flying around the same time, and Harry was our instructor,” said Tidwell. “After we got our licenses, we got to talking about how we wished we’d had this kind of opportunity when we were in high school. So, we thought, why not create one?”

Thanks to support from school administrators and the Franklin County Board of Education, the vision became a reality.

Mattox, who managed the Russellville Airport for more than two decades and taught flying for even longer, now teaches the aviation class at Phil Campbell High.

The program has made a measurable impact. One of the first students, Ryland Garrison, earned a full scholarship to Auburn University and now works there as a flight instructor.

“Ryland came from a background where college wasn’t really an option, but he had the desire,” said Tidwell. “He took flights with me, with Chris, with others at the airport — and now he’s teaching other future pilots.”

Williams emphasized the value of the program in exposing students to careers they might never have imagined.

“Some kids grow up around farming or factories,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with that, but they don’t always know aviation is an option. Getting them in a plane, seeing what it’s like, it can change their entire outlook.”

Williams described how he feels when he flies.

“It feels like freedom to leave a two-dimensional world and enter a threedimensional world,” he said.

Field trip

The field trip included pre-flight instruction, safety checklists, and discussion about aircraft systems. Students flew in a Cirrus Vision Jet piloted by Williams and a Cirrus SR22 flown by Tidwell. Both planes feature advanced avionics and include built-in parachutes for emergencies.

Each student received a 35- to 40-minute “discovery flight,” including a flyover of the school. For some, it was their first time in the air.

“Just seeing the smiles and hearing them say things like, ‘This is awesome,’ made it all worth it,” said Tidwell. “That excitement was contagious.”

Two students briefly got to take the controls mid-air.

“A couple of them were able to connect what they’d learned in the flight simulator to the real thing,” said Mattox. “That kind of hands-on learning really sticks.”

One of those students, Braden Moore, couldn’t contain his excitement.

“He ran up to me after and said, ‘Mr. Mattox, I got to fly! I did it!’” Mattox recalled. “He was almost dancing across the ramp.”

For junior Jacob Landers, this was his first year in the aviation program, a class he hadn’t planned to take but quickly came to enjoy.

“I figured learning about airplanes would be something interesting, so I just went with it,” Landers said. “I’ve really enjoyed everything that’s about aviation, including the history, the technology, and getting to go up and take in God’s creation the way we did.”

Although Landers had flown before on a commercial jet, he said the experience of being in a smaller aircraft was entirely different.

“It’s a lot tighter, definitely, and you feel the bumps more,” he said with a laugh. “But it was awesome getting to see local places from 3,000 feet in the air. We tilted over Phil Campbell and got pictures of our school.”

Landers doesn’t plan to pursue aviation as a career as he’s leaning toward education, but he values the experience and the effort his instructor brings to the program.

“I’m just thankful for Mr. Mattox and all he does for our class,” he said.

Classmate Ethan Aderholt, also a junior, flew for the first time during the field trip.

“I had never been on a plane before,” Aderholt said. “It was my first time being up in the air, and it gave me a whole new perspective. I enjoyed it because it let me see how aviation really works.”

Though Aderholt didn’t take the controls, he was fascinated by the complexity of the aircraft.

“What stood out to me was how advanced aircraft can be, especially technology-wise,” he said.

He also appreciated the view. “It was nice seeing the place you’ve grown up around from that high up,” he said. “You don’t think about it the same way when you’re driving through town.”

Aderholt, like Landers, said he’s still unsure about his future in aviation.

“I’d like to [pursue a license], but it just depends on how my senior year goes,” he said.

One thing he is sure of — the value of the class and its teacher. “I have an amazing teacher who is hardworking and does his best to teach us about aviation,” Aderholt said.

Room to grow

The aviation program at Phil Campbell isn’t limited to the privileged few.

“You don’t need money to get started — just desire,” said Tidwell. “We’ll find a way to help any student who wants to learn.”

Students can even earn their private pilot written certification while still in high school. Mattox uses a high school-level aviation curriculum that blends science, math, and realworld flight applications.

For Mattox, who gave up flying because of health reasons but remains a mentor and teacher, the program is deeply personal.

“I’ve never lost my love for flying,” he said. “It’s exhilarating. It’s hard to put into words, but when you see a kid get that same spark, it’s amazing.”

So far, Phil Campbell is the only school offering the aviation class, but the founders hope that will change.

“We’d love to see this program expand to Russellville, Tharptown and other schools in the county,” Tidwell said. “The sky’s the limit.”