Will Help Fill Critical Need For More Pilots

Purdue Aviation LLC has hit a milestone in its growth with FAA approval of Part 141 flight school certification, which allows it to offer a more structured flight training syllabus for future professional pilots.

“Part 141 certification is key to the future growth of Purdue Aviation,” said Purdue alumnus Scott Niswonger, who co-owns the company with the Purdue Research Foundation. “Receiving this certification is the next logical step as we add services to increase the profile of Purdue Aviation, allowing us to help fill the critical need for more commercial pilots.”

Niswonger and Purdue Research Foundation purchased the company, formerly called Lafayette Aviation, in 2015. The purchase occurred the same year the 980-acre Purdue Research Park Aerospace District was established in the area adjacent to the airport.

Purdue Aviation offered flight training under the FAA Part 61 regulation before issue of the Part 141 certification, said Jeff Pittard, president of Purdue Aviation.

According to Pittard, “Part 141 requires a more stringent process involving FAA approval of pilot training curriculums, personnel, facilities and aircraft. The Part 141 designation allows students in the program to qualify for pilot certification in less time than Part 61.”

Company officials plan to soon begin offering flight classes based on the Part 141 certification and adding airline industry collaboration to the coursework. “This designation by the FAA for Purdue Aviation opens the door for great new opportunities,” said Dan Hasler, president of Purdue Research Foundation. “With the upcoming March opening of the Purdue Technology Center Aerospace building that will house some of Rolls-Royce’s R&D activities, the Purdue Research Park Aerospace District is taking off.”

Purdue Aviation and Purdue Research Foundation recently partnered with Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM, an aircraft company based in Italy, to create a U.S.-based sales, maintenance and training center for TECNAM aircraft. The agreement included the sale of a TECNAM P2006T twin-engine certified technologically advanced aircraft to Purdue Aviation, which the company now uses for training and for leasing.

Purdue Aviation’s new Part 141 certification along with the TECNAM P2006T aircraft could also be beneficial to students in Purdue’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology within the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. “Purdue Aviation’s Part 141 training program helps our students as well, by providing those who have earned their flight instructor certificates the opportunity to serve as instructors in the new program,” said John Mott, interim head of the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology. “In addition, the new TECNAM P2006T aircraft will allow our students to gain the multiengine flight experience they need in an economical manner.”

The Part 141 certification will provide greater pilot training opportunities in other ways as well. “The certification will make a difference by appealing to prospective commercial pilots,” Pittard said. “Also, with the certification we will soon have approval from the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow veterans to use their benefits at our school.”

(Image provided with Purdue Aviation LLC news release)

FMI: www.purdueaviationllc.com