Contributed BUILD ENGINE — Power mechanics and welding students at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School created a model of a gas turbine engine as part of a five-week project and honed their hands-on skills. Among those helping were, from left, are power mech pupils Kendal McGraw and Luke Linscott with welding student Austin Duffy.

BLOOMINGDALE — Power mechanics students at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School got revved up after constructing a jet engine model in their lab.

Instructor Fred Jones said senior Luke Linscott and junior Kendal McGraw built the engine while senior welding student Austin Duffy completed the stainless-steel welding on the project, which they undertook after the Christmas holiday break and finished during a five-week period.

“These three students worked full-time on it,” Jones said. “We built a working model of a gas turbine engine and had a lot of help from the math teachers with calculations, including teacher Tom Horne. It was constructed using a turbo charger and runs on kerosene fuel.”

The model includes individual gauges and digital temperature sensors and it operates on 12 volts, plus it requires compressed air to start. Jones said it runs and performs and possible plans are to add an afterburner and power shaft to it next year. Previous projects have included creating a Henry Ford engine and a plasma thruster, and Jones said the jet engine was another idea for them to hone their skills.

“It’s a good way for them to see the turbine combustion system and this was our first time doing this particular engine,” he added. “It’s a lot of plumbing, hydraulics and electrical work.”

The students said it was a great way to get some hands-on knowledge which could benefit them in the future.

Linscott, who attends Edison High School, could yield a greater advantage since he’s literally setting his eyes on the skies. He plans to join the Air Force through the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and eventually work in aircraft maintenance.

“I liked it. The fabrication was pretty fun,” he said, adding that it also gives him an idea of what it is like to work on a jet engine.

McGraw, who is a student at Toronto High School, agreed.

“I liked working on it a lot,” she added. “It taught me a lot and I enjoyed the fabrication and electrical side.”

“I liked working on it,” noted Duffy, who also attends Edison. He plans to work at MAC Trailer in Alliance upon graduation.