SGTC Aviation students view the Vapor Supercar outside the Griffin B. Bell Aerospace Technology Center on SGTC’s Americus campus.

SGTC Aviation students check out some of the career opportunities offered in the Air Force in the high-tech Vapor Supercar trailer.

Air Force Vapor Supercar display at SGTC a success
Friday July 16, 2010
South Georgia Technical College students and area residents attended the U.S. Air Force Vapor Supercar display recently which was set-up in the airport hangar of the Griffin B. Bell Aerospace Technology building on the Americus campus.

“The Vapor Project Supercar is a Dodge Challenger that has been completely overhauled by a team of seven highly specialized airmen with a world renowned team of car mechanics and customizers from Galpin Auto Sports of MTV’s Pimp My Ride fame,” said U.S. Air Force TSgt. Brad Barth of Moody Air Force Base. In addition to the Vapor Supercar, there was also a display trailer where students learned about what happens on a flight line, a 42” touch screen that allowed users to view car specs, crew bios and videos, and a career kiosk where individuals explored different careers in the Air Force via touch screens.

The Project Supercar team has been visiting high schools, universities, and colleges with aviation programs in an effort to recruit individuals in the target age group of 16-27. “The Air Force Recruiting Service built this mobile tour to educate youth on mechanical and technical careers offered in the Air Force. Among the over 130 careers in the Air Force, 51 of them are mechanical and technical related. Project Supercar was developed to clearly demonstrate how kids’ passion for cars and mechanics can develop into a great career,” said TSgt. Barth.

Among the career opportunities offered in the United States Air Force are security forces, communications/computer systems, para-rescue, combat controller, air battle manager, imagery analyst, crypto linguist, space systems operations, and survival instructor.

Project Supercar is a real life showcase of Air Force ingenuity, state-of-the art technology, imagination and input from some of the world’s best mechanics. Mad Mike of Galpin Auto Sports was the team lead on the build of the SuperCar. He had a career in the Air Force before becoming a famous car customizer.

The Vapor features a custom stealth body kit with jet enhancements/carbon fiber exterior trim, a stealth camera, SPX radar, Stealth mode/dynamat engine compartment and lambo doors. The interior of the car sports aircraft style controls/steering on the driver’s side with “replica style” steering wheel on the passenger side and a center console shifter.

The car has two custom flight helmets, jet interior detail, various interior instrumentation to match a cockpit with push button start, a computer system to access internet, GPS tracking, built in blue tooth, proximity sensors, thumb print door access, rear seat delete/bomb bay doors with “black box” and doors, truck and hood that can be controlled from cockpit.

Airmen assisted in the metal fabrication, electrical wiring, fiberglass molding and mechanical installation. The car features remote access technology to show how the Air Force uses remote access to pilot the UAVs and Thermal Cam to demonstrate how the Air Force uses this technology on their planes to target at night.

South Georgia Technical College has over 90 degree, diploma, and certificate programs that teach many of the skills utilized in the Vapor Supercar. Students in the Aircraft Structural Technology, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Avionics Maintenance Technology, Electronics, Automotive Technology, Auto Collision Repair Technology, Motorsports Technology, and other related programs will have the opportunity to learn more about how skills they are learning can be utilized in a variety of careers.

Summer Quarter is currently underway at South Georgia Technical College. To apply for fall quarter, which begins September 29th, call 229.931.2252, 229.931.2249, or 1.800.928.0283 in Americus, and call 229.271.4051 in Cordele.