Photo courtesy of Brandon Farris, copyright 2011, http://www.flickr.com/photos/seahawks7757/

A small, liberal arts college in Wisconsin, Lakeland College, recently announced plans to launch a four-year undergraduate minor in aviation.

The program will begin in the fall semester and consists of 31 credit hours of work. The required course work includes ground school classroom instruction and flight instruction at Sheboygan County Memorial Airport or Austin Straubel International Airport.

Lakeland and Frontline Aviation, based in Green Bay, partnered to create the program, which is the first of its kind in Wisconsin. While the partnership does come at a down time, experts are predicting an upswing in aviation jobs for which graduates of such programs will be perfectly positioned. The program at Lakeland is designed to provide students with the education and flying skills required for those jobs. The program is also designed to allow area students to obtain their pilot ratings and a four-year degree without having to endure transferring from a smaller two-year school.

The commercial aviation sector has seen more than its share of job loss and pay cuts recently with pilots losing out in major airline mergers and flight schools closing because of rising insurance and training costs in the face of a reduction in applicants who can afford flight training. Fortunately, industry experts see light on the horizon. They are calling for a shortage of pilots in the next few years as the federally-mandated retirement catches up with many airline pilots.

Additionally, niche pilot careers like corporate charters or law enforcement aviation are starting to get more attention from schools. By combining a four-year degree in criminal justice and flight training, a student would be well positioned to pilot aircraft for a law enforcement agency like U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Unfortunately, cost is going to play a huge role in deciding the viability of the new program. Lakeland officials estimate that students will have to pay $27,000 for the program, which takes them up to their flight instructor certificate. Most of the program costs go to pay for aircraft rental which is about $125 per hour at Frontline Aviation.

The bottom line is that Lakeland students now have one of the most affordable flight training programs at their disposal. They will graduate with a four-year degree ready to move into a flight instructing or entry-level commercial flying job. Within a short amount of time they could be well on their way to an ATP rating and the right seat of a commercial airliner as hiring increases at the airlines.

For more information on flight training and choosing the right school, check out our Flight Training Resource Center or compare flight training in Wisconsin.

Source:Undergrads earn degrees and wings

This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

US Aviation Group and Tarrant County College have established an accredited flight training program at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas.

US Aviation Group(USAG), based out of Denton, Texas, has entered into an agreement with Tarrant County College (TCC) establishing access to USAG’s Part 141 flight training for TCC students. The two organizations will operate an accredited flight training program via a Learning Center established at Alliance Airport (AFW), in Fort Worth.

TCC students will be able to apply available financial aid, including GI Bill benefits and Pell Grants, to help pay for enrollment in USAG’s Professional Pilot Program. Upon completion of the program, students can expect to hold a multi-engine commercial rating and have passed the written exam for their ATP certificate. Additionally, the students can undertake coursework at TCC for a two-year degree in aviation and transfer to a university to complete their four-year degree.

This program sprang from an idea put forth by the North Central Council of Governments to provide a way for students to receive flight training locally. According to Floyd Curtis, Dean of Business, Technology and Transportation at TCC, the college latched onto the idea and began investigating Part 141 flight training providers in North Texas, where they discovered USAG. TCC was pleased with the success of USAG’s flight training program and both parties began negotiations to create the current program.

USAG is expecting “rapid growth and a high success rate” of students in the program. They currently conduct flight training at Denton and Hondo Municipal Airports, but will gradually expand operations to AFW as TCC students enroll for flight training. According to the President of USAG, Mike Sykes, within five years the U.S. airline industry can expect to see a critical shortage of qualified pilots as the numbers of older pilots reaching mandatory retirements out pace the numbers of new pilots. Despite current conditions at some airlines, now is the best time to begin flight training in order to best capitalize on the impending shortage.

For more information on US Aviation Group see our featured schools page for US Flight Academy in Denton, TX.

For more information on flight training and choosing the right school, check out our Flight Training Resource Center or find flight training near you.

Source: US Aviation pens agreement with college

This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

The above image, released by the TSA, is the result of one type of advanced imaging device employed by the TSA nationwide.

If you flew home to be with family over this holiday weekend, chances are you encountered the newest screening procedures put in place by the TSA. If you didn’t, you’ve probably heard at least a mention on the news of the controversy that has been stirred up by the new procedures. The TSA, reacting to last year’s failed Christmas day bombing of Northwest Airlines Flight 253, has rushed the deployment of Advanced Imaging Technology Devices in every major US airport as well as developed new pat-down procedures. The new devices and procedures were implemented just prior to the holiday traveling season in the hopes of discouraging a similar attack.

Unfortunately for the agency, their less than stellar track record and the invasive nature of the new procedures have ignited the fires of revolt against the agency. From airline pilots and flight attendants, whose unions have been advising to decline the new procedures, to everyday fliers, the new regulations are being met with resistance.

According to US Airway’s and American Airline’s pilot unions, their members should decline the full-body scans in favor of the pat-down. The unions are concerned about exposing the pilots, who already receive a high level of radiation exposure, to even more radiation.

The AIT devices produce radiation known as ionizing radiation, which allows the machines to see through clothing. There are some questions about how safe the machines actually are, considering the fact that they focus potentially high doses of radiation onto the skin. The TSA and Department of Homeland Security maintain that the devices are perfectly safe, but they offer very little support for their stance.

In addition to health concerns, the body scanners and the pat-down protocol have elicited criticism of the invasive nature of the procedures. Considering a very early incident of improper use, it would seem that the body scanners, which can produce extremely detailed images of the body underneath clothing, were doomed from the start. While the devices aren’t supposed to store the captured images, the U.S. Marshals Service has already been the source of a well-publicized leak of images captured and stored by the devices. This means that we have only the agency’s word that there aren’t hundreds of thousands of images awaiting their freedom.

As for the pat-down, the more aggressive procedures have come under scrutiny for the demeaning nature of the pat-downs. Chief among the complaints is the fact that the TSA procedures border on institutionalized sexual assault and that they do it out in the open at the checkpoint. According to the pilot and flight attendant unions, those in uniform who submit to the pat-downs should should insist on a private screening. Michael Roberts, an airline pilot, does them one better and refused to submit to either procedure. He, his lawyers, and the TSA will be meeting in court in order to resolve the issue.

To the agency’s credit, the TSA isn’t bowing down to the criticism – they have made their statements and they are sticking to their policies. Unfortunately the critics, while highly vocal, are not as numerous as they would seem according to a recent CBS news poll showing that 80 percent of respondents support full-body scans. That doesn’t bode well for a grass-roots movement, but there is still hope that the courts can save us.

For more information on flight training and choosing the right school, check out our Flight Training Resource Center or find flight training near you.

Sources: Airline Pilots Resist New TSA Procedures and TSA to Air Travelers: Drop Dead

This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

Two university aviation programs are set to expand in the next five years.

Two university aviation programs have announced that they are set to expand over the next five years.

Florida Institute of Technology recently announced a $14 million dollar contract with Turkish Airlines.

Under the contract, similar to an existing partnership between FIT and an Irish airline, FIT will provide primary flight instruction through the commercial pilot certificate level. The program, already underway since June, will train more than 100 Turkish pilots per year for the next five years.

In a similarly happy story, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has announced that they intend to open a third campus in either Houston, TX or Rockford, IL. The final announcement is expected sometime in March. With more than $125 million dollars in projects planned in the next five years, it’s no surprise that the school is eyeing expansion. Rockford is located in an area of significant growth in the aerospace industry with more than 130 companies located within an hour of the town. Houston, on the other hand, has NASA which is one of the largest employers of aerospace professionals.

Embry-Riddle, a very well known aviation school, currently has locations in Prescott, AZ and Daytona, FL. Embry-Riddle’s Daytona location is still relatively new as approximately half of the campus facilities are no older than 12 years. The campus is home to several facilities featuring some of the latest in flight training technology including flight simulators, hyperbaric chambers.

While these announcements are certainly good news for these schools and their students, they bear a certain similarity that other flight training providers would do well to notice. As indicated in both announcements, the schools are seeking out partnerships in the industry at large. In partnering with companies like airlines and aircraft manufacturers, these schools are paving the way for graduates to find jobs as well as providing alternate sources of funding which reduce the cost of their flight training programs.

Sources: Florida Tech lands $14M deal to train airline pilots and Embry-Riddle boss: Houston is Rockford’s competition

This article was written by Matthew Everett, a private pilot, aviation writer, and frequent contributor to AviationSchoolsOnline.com. You can follow him on twitter @leaving_tf or find his blog at http://leavingterrafirma.com.

Two university aviation training programs are at risk of closure.

Two university aviation programs are facing possible closure.  The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn. are considering shutting down their aviation degree programs due to economic concerns.

The University of Illinois is looking to transfer all aspects of the current Institute of Aviation to other departments, but those programs that other departments are unwilling to accept are facing closure. One program facing closure is aviation human factors, which offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

The university is currently considering whether their existing flight training operation would be viable as a standalone. A decision is expected by the end of the fall semester and is expected to take effect before the spring semester. Currently the university’s flight school operates about 200 flights per day out of the University of Illinois-Willard Airport and currently has a budget of about $5 million funded by tuition and student fees. Shutting down the operation however, would only save the university a fraction of that amount.

St. Cloud State University is also looking at transferring or eliminating its aviation program. According to the department chair, they are hopeful that the business college at the university will accept the aviation program, which would allow for its continued operation. Due to budget cuts at a state level, the university is looking at every possible option to decrease expenditures, and the aviation program ran a deficit of more than a quarter of a million dollars in the last year.

These two flight training programs are not alone in their struggles. Over the last few years, aviation programs at many colleges and universities have come on hard times. Many have closed, while others, such as Embry-Riddle, are looking to expand. The difference is often size as many smaller programs lack the political and economic support required to keep them off the chopping block.  It is important to note however, that many programs could be saved through strategic partnerships with stable flight training providers. Agreements like the recent Mountain State/ATP partnership would allow universities and colleges to focus on academics while allowing the flight schools to handle flight training operations.

Even though St. Cloud State and the University of Illinois program closures might not affect a great number of students, this is important news for any flight student to consider. During this time of economic unrest, many smaller programs face many outside pressures and the balance of power can shift quickly. That is why it is important to carefully consider how a particular flight training program fits into to your plans before you begin, but you should also consider having a backup plan just in case.

Source: Two university aviation programs could close

Protect yourself - don't pay too much in advance

According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) website, Wells Fargo Bank  recently filed a lawsuit against the owners of the former Langa Air flight training academy in an attempt to recover over $172,000 in deposits paid “up front” by former students. In the article, Ian J. Twombly states “According to the complaint, Langa Air said students who paid for the entire course up front would be guaranteed a job flight instructing at the company after obtaining all the certificates, and the money would be held in dedicated accounts. Allegedly the money was not kept separate.” When Langa Air closed its doors, many flight training students lost their deposits.

Although this story is nothing new in the aviation training industry, incredibly, prospective students continue to pay for huge blocks of training in advance of receiving those services. As a business owner, I can’t help but wonder if these students know that while it may appear to be a good deal to pay in advance that they are actually creating a negative feedback loop that can, and often does, end in the closure of the school and the loss of the deposits.

Here’s the problem: a flight school gets into financial trouble and then says to itself “if only our students would pay us in advance, then we could pay off our bills”. The problem with this logic is that the school got into financial trouble in the first place because of failure to manage expenses verses income properly. If a school is not making money with its current business model, it either must close its doors immediately or change to a profitable business model. However, most schools simply keep doing the same old thing and expecting a different result, and they use student deposits to fund the madness. With nowhere to go but bankrupt, the schools finally close the doors and the money is never seen again. In the worst case scenario, dubious business owners have actually collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in student deposits and then closed the doors and left town.

The bottom line and warning to all prospective aviation students out there is to be cautious about putting money down for training. How long has the school been in business? What is their reputation? Are you hearing rumors the school is not financially stable? Don’t make the mistake of paying “too much” up front.

Most schools offer “block” time that can be purchased in modest quantities. Use your common sense and don’t hand your cash over to just any school.

What are your thoughts?

Good luck in your training!

For those who have not given up the dream of becoming a professional pilot, now may be the best time ever to begin flight training. 2009 will most likely go down in history as being the worst year to be looking for a flying job with the airlines, freight companies, fractional operators and charter outfits. According to an article in Plane & Pilot Magazine, December 2009 issue, only 30 pilots have been hired by these aviation segments this year, making it by far the worst hiring year since 1975, when 175 pilots were hired. So what’s the good news?

Airline jobs set to recover in future

The professional pilot job market has bottomed out, and the only place to go is up. There’s a trifecta brewing that could make aviation jobs boom again; the FAA predicts that worldwide airline passenger travel is estimated to grow at 7% per year through 2015; a large number of older pilots are set to retire after getting an extension on their careers from the new mandatory retirement age of 65, up from 60; according to the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), global air traffic will triple between 2009 and 2034. All of these factors point to a huge recovery in aviation, and that means the demand for pilots will increase.

Earning an FAA certified pilot certificate may require more training in the future. If you’re interested in flying for a living, the time to start is now. Pilots starting training today could be faced with tougher hiring standards: a proposed new requirement to posses an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate for eligibility to fly for airlines (up from just a Commercial certificate), new safety management systems training (SMS), and increased simulator training standards just to name a few.

The bottom line – the future looks bright for professional pilots, but the best time to start that future is today. A good way to begin exploring your options is to contact flight academies and universities.