Sat, May 30, 2009
Dean Says The Economy Is The Culprit
While Dean David Powell is
optimistic about the school's future, he admits the Western
Michigan University's College of Aviation is facing challenges in
this lackluster economy.
In an interview with the Western Michigan Business Review,
Powell said enrollment has remained strong, but job placement is
very low. About 20 percent of the students have switched from
flight training to a management track, and some students were
taking jobs in such far-flung places as Saudi Arabia in order to
find work.
Part of the reason for the switch to management training is due
to an increase in flight fees, he said. Students pay to train
as pilots, and the costs do not include tuition or room and
board. Students are having a hard time coming up with the
$45,000-$50,000 to learn to fly, and getting a student loan to
cover those costs has also become increasingly difficult. Powell
said three of their six lenders have dropped out of the program
entirely, and the remaining three have tightened up their credit.
That leaves flight students relying on their parents or other
sources for the increased costs.
The reason for his optimism, he said, is his faith that the
economy will recover, and that will make flying a more attractive
career choice.
"Before the economy slowed, the FAA's forecast was for a need of
15,000 pilots. This is significant for places that produce
professional pilots, which is exactly what we do here," he told the
paper.
And despite the poor economy, Powell said the school has plans
to offer training for Air Traffic Controllers, and that will create
more opportunities for graduates. "We recently had the Federal
Aviation Administration come to and do a site visit," he said. "If
the FAA approves our application, we will be able to add
air-traffic-control training to our program here at the Battle
Creek facility."
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