Regis Penn ’25

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Over the past few years, the Aviation Club has quickly become one of the most active and enriching clubs at Strake Jesuit, especially for students with a passion for aviation.

Club founder and president Matthew Watts ’25 started the Aviation Club to “promote aviation among students.” Matthew has not only earned his Private Pilot’s license, but also seeks to support others who are pursuing aviation as a career field.

Matthew has over 300 hours of flight experience and has earned his ground instructor license. He now leads the club weekly in ground school training that ranges from aircraft systems to weather to navigation.

The club seeks to greatly expose members to the aviation industry by visiting local aviation facilities. These visits have included trips to the United Airlines maintenance facility at Bush Intercontinental Airport, Hobby airport’s operations center and baggage management, Sugarland Airport’s air traffic control center, and even the Coast Guard Air Operations at Ellington field joint reserve base. 

This exposure has sparked and stoked an interest in aviation among all members. Member Ben Rattaree ’25, who also has accumulated flight hours, notes that his “favorite part is getting to see airlines’ operation, being up close and personal with planes,  and the community of people who are interested in aviation.”

In the future, the club plans to continue educating and exposing interested students to the aviation world. “We are planning on getting a tour of the Houston TRACON center,”  Matthew said. “These are facilities house air traffic controllers who guide aircraft approaching and departing airports”

Unlike other occupations, there are few prerequisites to pursue a career in aviation. “You can start whenever you want,” Matthew said. “The club is a community where we can encourage each other.”

With a growing number of students eager to take to the skies, the club continues to inspire and equip future pilots, engineers, and aviation professionals. “The SJ aviation club,” Matthew said, “aims to offer a fun and supportive environment for aviation enthusiasts to learn about, engage with, and appreciate the beauty of flight.”