Advanced Classes Geared Towards Those Planning Aviation
Careers
Florida Institute of Technology will offer two, new advanced
airline pilot flight courses to be presented in conjunction with
Aerostar Training Services of Orlando. The courses, Jet Transition
and Commercial Type Rating, are aimed at upper-division students
who plan careers with commercial airlines.
The offering is unique in that it allows students to use regular
electives in their bachelor’s degree program to prepare fully
for a career flying a large transport jet. Although jet transition
and type rating courses are available on the open market, no other
college or university offers this program as part of its academic
degree. “We are very excited to make this opportunity
available to our students in the College of Aeronautics,”
said Dean Winston Scott. “The courses will prepare them well
and provide all the ratings necessary to go directly to a major
airline. This is a significant step forward, and represents the
gold standard in collegiate flight training.”
Although most colleges and flight schools offer commercial
multi-engine ratings in propeller airplanes, type ratings (required
for all turbojets), have not been offered for academic credit. The
type rating check ride is beyond the commercial certificate: it is
conducted to airline transport pilot standards. “This is
truly innovative and reinforces Florida Tech’s excellent
reputation for flight training,” said Scott.
According to Peter Dunn, program manager, assistant professor
and faculty adviser, there has been much talk in the industry about
the looming pilot shortage in the United States. “At Florida
Tech, we decided to do something about it,” he said.
“Recently, the U.S. Congress has mandated airline pilot
standards for first officers. We are responding to what the new law
intends. We want to give our graduates the ability to compete for
major airline jobs. Having this credential is a huge step in that
direction. Airline recruiters understand the value of a type
rating.”
A type rating, according to Dunn, proves that pilots have the
“right stuff” to pass the rigorous airline initial
training. This program is designed to enable Florida Tech students,
with additional flight hours, to bypass the regional carriers and
get a job with a desirable national carrier. “At this time,
we will offer the A320 and B 737NG type ratings so that students
can target the airline of their choice. We also plan to offer a
summer school program, so students from other colleges may also
take these courses,” said Dunn.