Raisbeck Aviation High School kicked off a major capital campaign at an event on November 17 at the home of James and Sherry Raisbeck. The Raisbecks and their foundation have pledged $4 million toward the effort to construct a facility for the school at The Museum of Flight.

James Raisbeck is a world renowned aerodynamicist and entrepreneur. He is most well known for founding Raisbeck Engineering Inc., which engineers and manufactures performance improvement systems for thousands of business and commercial aircraft worldwide.

Aviation High School is temporarily located in an interim facility in Des Moines. The district hopes to open the school as Raisbeck Aviation High School on Museum property in 2012.

The Port of Seattle has contributed $10 million to the effort. The school hopes to raise an additional $10 million from private entities and $14 million from state and federal sources.

For more information, go to http://www.aviationhs.org/www.aviationhs.org< a>

Photo caption: Aviation students Kristina Ong, Sam Swan, Lydia Johnston, and Sydney Miller with James Raisbeck