STUDENTS who dream of flight need no longer remain Earth-bound with the introduction of co-curricular aviation classes at Scots PGC College.

The program, which is a first for Warwick schools, was instigated by Warwick-based pilot Peter Lafrancke and aims to give the students a way into the aviation industry.

"I am a part-time driver for Crisp Coaches driving from the airport and back and I occasionally get to drive a coach when the kids are on an excursion," he said.

"I was talking about flying to one of the teachers and they mentioned flying lessons would be something the students would be interested in.

"And I thought that I should do something about it. So I put together a proposal."

Mr Lafrancke said he thought Scots PGC would be the perfect fit for the program owing to the school's aviation-rich history.

"The school has a huge history of famous pilots who flew during wartimes and a close tie with aviation," he said.

The course will be available for both boys and girls in the middle through to senior school at the college.

The pilot said he was impressed with how keen the school was to take on the program.

Scots PGC College principal Michael Harding said a number of parents and students were already interested in the new program.

"We have a small group already aiming to take it up," he said.

"It is an extra activity and it would be good option for the boarding students.

"It is a great opportunity and the club (North Rivers Aero Club) have been really proactive at bringing this opportunity to a regional area.

"A lot of past students have been involved in the aviation industry, back to the wartimes and more recently within the rural industry."

A trial of the program is set to take place in late November, followed by flying days on December 5-6.

Mr Lafrancke said the three-day trial would teach the students basic aeronautical knowledge, such as the parts of the plane and their functions.

"Then we will take them up in the air and they can see how it all works," he said.

"It will just be the basic stuff that anyone would be able to understand."

And while it will be a while before the students are matching the skills of Maverick and Goose and requesting fly-bys, Mr Lafrancke, a qualified instructor, said he would have them up and flying within 12 months.

"They will be taught theory and learn how to fly a plane in 12 months," he said.

"The aim is to help them on the path to a career in the aviation industry, from crop dusting, the air force, navigating or as an aviation engineer.

"It is not just for those wanting to become pilots."