CCMS eighth grader Johnathan Pirtle has taken flight with a sharp eye for detail, a head full of big ideas, and a virtual toolbox of digital design skills. His latest creation, a sleek 3D model of the SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest jet in the world, has earned him a second place finish in the Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) state competition today.
Johnathan is one of two CCMS students who are state finalists. Drawing inspiration from the legendary SR-71 Blackbird—the world’s fastest air-breathing aircraft—Johnathan created a highly detailed 3D model of the jet using Tinkercad, a browser-based 3D design platform.
“I’ve been using Tinkercad since fifth grade,” Johnathan said. He has used it to design a power plant, other fighter jets, tanks and even a bookmark with lights that he is considering attempting to make a prototype and patent. “This is definitely my favorite project so far,” he said.
The SR-71 Blackbird was the perfect challenge for Johnathan’s talents. The jet’s sleek, curved fuselage and complex engine system pushed him to use nearly every skill he’s developed over the last three years in 3D modeling.
“Tinkercad gives you different types of shapes—cylinders, spheres, cubes, fr example—and I had to manipulate them to get the right dimensions,” he explained.
Over the course of two weeks, working in bursts over several days, Johnathan slowly built the plane section by section.
“The fuselage was the hardest part,” he admitted. “It took a lot of shapes to get those curves right. The wings were a bit easier—I used triangles and half-circles and just shrunk and moved them until the shape was close. Then I added cylinders for the engines, nose cones, and even a nozzle for flames.”
To get it just right, he referenced 3D images of the SR-71, carefully eyeballing proportions and details to make his model as accurate as possible. “I consider myself very creative and detail-oriented,” he said, skills that shine through on this project.
In addition to the 3D model, Johnathan also submitted a process document, which included pictures of the model from different angles, a description of the jet, and a step-by-step explanation of how he made it—all requirements for the STLP 3D Design category.
While the competition is fierce, Johnathan is optimistic about his chances when he competes at the state level at Rupp Arena on April 23. “I’m hoping to get first or second. I’ll be really excited—I’ve wanted to win a medal in STLP since I first joined.”
Looking ahead, Johnathan already has his sights set on engineering as a career and has been accepted to the iLEAD Academy to further pursue his passion for STEM. “STLP is a great opportunity for later in life,” he said. “You learn interesting skills, make new friends, and become more fluent in technology. It can really open doors—and it’s just fun.”