For most high school students, the classroom, homework and extracurriculars define their weekdays. But for 17-year-old Nicholas DeBono, a senior at Oceanside High School, part of the school week is spent at an aviation academy.
DeBono is one of two students from Nassau BOCES Barry Tech interning at Icarus Flying Academy, in Farmingdale, where he is gaining hands-on experience in aviation operations. Once a week he works alongside professionals managing the academy’s student accounts, scheduling flights, conducting stock inventory and preparing study materials for aspiring private pilots.
“It was a highly competitive process to secure the internship, since I had to interview with the chief flying instructor of Icarus Flying Academy, Edwin Torres,” DeBono said. “I’m honored and grateful for the opportunity they provided to participate in this internship.”
DeBono, who started the internship last November, has also contributed to the academy’s Icarus Junior Aviator Program, for children ages 8 to 12. He and fellow intern Emry Anataki, of Plainedge High School, completed activities that are part of the FAA’s Junior Aviator Curriculum, offering feedback and helping create engaging exercises for the younger students.
“It feels great, because I know a lot of people are focusing on school and maybe a part-time job, but I’m doing this internship during school hours,” DeBono said. “It’s kind of different, and I’m learning so much.”
At Barry Tech, in Westbury, students explore a variety of hands-on career paths. Classes simulate real work environments, from airplane hangars and carpentry shops to horse stables and culinary kitchens. Instructors are professionals in their fields, and students often go on to college, technical training programs or the workforce after graduation.
DeBono is pursuing the business side of aviation rather than aircraft maintenance or museum operations, the other two internship options that were available.
“The business side is stuff that comes naturally to me,” he said. His responsibilities at Icarus include learning to use Flight Circle, the system that manages flight schedules and student accounts, as well as inventory and sales of pilot logbooks, apparel and other supplies.
“The most challenging part was learning the system, because it’s a lot to keep track of, and we only go once a week,” he said. “But I’m pretty good at using it now.”
Exploring the business side of aviation has also given him a new perspective on the industry. “People often see delays or cancellations, and think that’s all there is to flying,” DeBono said. “But from the business side, everything keeps moving. Schedules, student accounts inventory, so many factors go into keeping everything running smoothly, even when flights can’t happen.”
His initial career interest was in computers and coding, but a family trip to Florida in 2021 sparked his interest in aviation. “That was the first time I’d been at the airport in a while,” he recalled, “and it was immediately a new interest to me.”
DeBono’s internship has also given him the chance to interact with clients and gain real-world experience. “As an intern, I’ve sent a bunch of emails to help attract more students,” he said. “It’s rewarding to see that I’m making a contribution.”
Looking ahead, he said he hopes to pursue a degree in aviation management and eventually fly for a commercial airline. He sees his internship as a way to become familiar with the business side of the industry while preparing for a future as a pilot.
“It takes a lot to get there,” DeBono said. “I want to try other things first and learn the business side while I’m still pursuing my flying goals.”
He credits both his teachers and his family for their unwavering support. “My teacher at Barry Tech and my parents have been incredible,” he said, emphasizing that their guidance has helped him navigate a complex internship and manage responsibilities that many students might struggle with.
His experience at Icarus has offered him a rare look into the industry, and he sees it as a strong foundation for the next chapter of his career development. For DeBono, representing Oceanside High in a professional setting, right before his graduation in June, is a source of pride and motivation.
“It’s so exciting to do something unique while still in high school,” he said.
