PLATTSBURGH — Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute is accepting applications for the fall semester.

Institute Program Coordinator Jim McCartney said applications are being accepted for adult candidates. They are asked to submit applications by Aug. 3, but they will be accepted on a space-available basis until classes start.

Minimum requirements include a high-school diploma or GED, with a moderate to strong mechanical aptitude and academic ability in math, science and English recommended.

CV-TEC Director Dr. Barry Mack said the New York State Education Department recently approved the Aeronautical Institute's program. It allows secondary school students to receive additional high-school credit in math, English and science for their studies at the institute.

"It's exciting that our program is recognized to have enough math, English and science in it to give high-school credit in those subjects," McCartney said.

There will be three-hour morning and afternoon sessions and a six-hour evening session. Each session can have up to 25 students.

High-school students will take precedence for the daytime slots. Vacant slots will be available to adult learners.

Adults who attend night sessions can complete the program in two years with summer sessions. The daytime program can be completed within three years.

"We are pleased to be able to offer a couple different options in that regard," McCartney said.

Adult tuition is set at $4,712 for the daytime session and $9,314 for the evening during the 2009-10 school year but does not include textbooks and other fees. Tuition assistance is available to qualified applicants.

Students who complete the program and pass FAA certification will be eligible to receive up to 46 credits toward an associate degree in individualized studies from Clinton Community College. The Aeronautical Institute is working toward a similar agreement with Mohawk Community College in Utica for up to 42 credits toward an aeronautical technology associate degree.

The enrollment of prospective high-school students will be handled through the school systems and CV-TEC.

Students from school districts in Essex County will have the option to have students study a half-day at the institute and the other half in classes at Plattsburgh High School, while remaining a member of their own school district.

"We have a nice partnership with the Plattsburgh City School District. It will help our southern districts if their students want to participate," Mack said.

McCartney said it is up to those districts, which include Ticonderoga, Schroon Lake, Moria, Willsboro, Crown Point and Elizabethtown, to decide on that option or to transport students for a half-day at the Aeronautical Institute and a half-day at their own school.

The Aeronautical Institute is a collaboration between Clinton Community College and CV-TEC that will open in September. It will be a FAA-certified Part 147 airframe and powerplant school to serve high-school and adult learners.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook states the median salary for aircraft mechanics and service technicians was $22.57 per hour in May 2006. It also states there will be a higher demand for those certified by the FAA.

The Aeronautical Institute will occupy the former CommutAir buildings at the former Clinton County Airport. The school has received more than $15 million in donations of aviation-related equipment, goods, services and other equipment.

Mack said renovation of the former CommutAir buildings at the former Clinton County Airport is hoped to be completed by the end of June. CV-TEC students are among those involved in demolition and renovation work.

McCartney said it has been approved to receive a Revolution Helicopters Mini-500 helicopter through Build A Plane, a 510(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Malibu, Calif.

The organization is dedicated to promoting aviation and aerospace careers by giving young people the opportunity to build an aircraft. The only expense to the Aeronautical Institute would be to haul the helicopter, valued at $80,000, from Minnesota to Plattsburgh.

"It's ours if we want it," McCartney said.

E-mail Dan Heath at: dheath@pressrepublican.com