Market Intelligence: -General Aviation
CAU Flight Team Places 2nd at Regionals, Qualifies for National Flight Competition
California Aeronautical University’s Flight Team placed second overall in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) SAFECON Region II Competition, held at California Aeronautical University (CAU) on October 25-29, 2022.
The Flight Team also won the Red Baron Team Sportsmanship Award for the second consecutive year, and took first and second place in the message drop flight event. The Team also earned first place in the traditional navigation event.
“I’m very proud of the Flight Team’s performance and excited to see that their hard work and dedication paid off as they bring home the second place title for the second year in a row,” said CAU Flight Team Coach RJ Rudzitis.
“Coach Rudzitis has done an incredible job of not only building this team from day one, but also guiding them to successfully place at top levels of the regional competition,” said Matthew Johnston, President of California Aeronautical University. “We couldn’t be more appreciative of the support that Coach Rudzitis’ has provided.”
SAFECON, Safety and Flight Evaluation Conference, is an annual competition consisting of flight and ground challenges designed to promote safety and professionalism among collegiate aviators.
“This was a great week of comradery and we’re so thankful for all of the friendships we’ve developed at all levels of the competition,” said Matthew Johnston. “It’s great to see such a collegiate coming- together that not only focuses on safe principles and training individuals for the future, but also showcases our future aviators who are taking that extra effort above and beyond their school curriculum to hone their skills so that they can be the best out there.”
As a second-time host, the CAU Flight Team included 19 students from CAU’s flight training degree programs. Approximately 70 students from four collegiate flight teams participated in the competition, including California Aeronautical University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, California Baptist University, and San Jose State University.
For their top marks at regionals, the CAU Flight Team will compete at the NIFA National SAFECON Competition in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, scheduled for May 8-13, 2023.
About California Aeronautical University
California Aeronautical University (CAU) is preparing the next generation of aviation professionals. Serving students from all over the country, the University offers career-focused programs in aviation, aviation business, and aircraft maintenance. With on-airport locations throughout California and in Arizona that provide an ideal learning environment, CAU courses are delivered in a year-round, fast-paced schedule that enables students to enter the pipeline for aviation careers in the shortest amount of time. Through the University’s strong partnerships with airlines, influential aviation organizations, and leaders in the aviation community, CAU graduates become a part of a larger aviation network and reap the benefits of these relationships, including direct access to several airline cadet programs. The University offers access to federal student financial aid, scholarships, and veteran benefits to those who qualify.
Source: California Aeronautical University Press Release
Photo Credit: California Aeronautical University
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US High School Introduces New Aviation Maintenance Training Program to Students
East Central High School has introduced its new aviation maintenance program. 27 students under the aviation maintenance program have started their training. Students recently had a field trip at Tulsa Tech to try on aviation maintenance activities.
Check out the video coverage of News on 6 below.
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US Community College Celebrates Commercial Aircraft Donation to its Aviation Programs by Airline
US Regional Airline Horizon Air flew a Bombardier Q400 to Hillsboro Airport and donated the former commercial aircraft to the Portland Community College Foundation.
The Q400 will be used by PCC’s Aviation Science (AVS) and Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) programs for hands-on training on modern engine and avionics technologies.
College staff, students, partners and community members were on hand for remarks and the landing of the Bombardier Q400 – Dr. Adrien Bennings, PCC President; Jennifer Monnig, PCC Foundation Board President; Steve Nagy, Director of Airport Operations, HIO; and Archie Vega, Director of Line/Base Maintenance and Student Development, Horizon Air.
As a result of the donation, PCC’s aviation programs will now have access to additional modern hands-on learning opportunities with this donation.
“It’s critical to have hands-on experience for our students, and we’re doing that with this donation for aviation maintenance,” said Bennings. “Collaboration and partnership with the community make great things happen.”
This donated Horizon Q400 will be housed at the Hillsboro Airport for students and faculty to work on. The avionics systems and structure will be intact for students to perform hands-on learning with a large transport aircraft. In addition to the Q400, Horizon donated 50 iPads to ensure they have the latest procedures and manuals to work the aircraft to commercial standards.
Industry Shortage
There is a dire need for trained aviation industry professionals now and for the foreseeable future. According to Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook 2022-41, there will be a projected global demand for 610,000 civil aviation AMTs over the next 20 years, compared to a need for 602,000 new pilots, excluding business aviation. Nationwide, that’s a huge hole to fill. PCC, and schools like it in the country, are the primary means by which the aviation industry gains new workers.
The Oregon Employment Department forecasts that the employment of aviation mechanics in the Portland area will grow by 14.6% through 2027, and 6% for pilots nationwide. As shown by Boeing’s report, the aviation industry is in significant demand for new certificated airframe and powerplant mechanics.
“This is a huge dream coming true,” said Vega of Horizon. “Our relationship with PCC is extremely strong. All the faculty and everyone associated with the school are an outstanding group of individuals over there. And I look forward to working with them all year long as we continue to grow.”
Addressing the Problem
PCC, and schools like it in the country, are the primary means by which the aviation industry gains new workers, and it is critical the college has relevant tools for students to train with and on. PCC’s aviation programs provide students with the required experience and education to qualify to sit for the federal certification exams. Since 1969, the programs have trained high-quality graduates to enter the aviation maintenance profession as well as work as a professional pilot.
The AMT Program has a success rate (first time taking each class) around 70%, which is nearly double the rate of PCC as a whole. Of the AMT students that attempt the certification exams after completing the program, nearly 100% become certificated.
“This is about the future, this is about students, this is about aviation tomorrow,” said Steve Nagy, director of Airport Operations.
Horizon Aircraft Training
Though all passenger seats will be removed, the plane’s avionics systems and structure will be intact for students to perform hands-on learning with a large transport aircraft.
AMT plans to use the aircraft to immerse students in modern commercial aircraft technology and turbine engine dynamics; analyze the use of modern maintenance documentation to perform and troubleshoot; train on the common servicing and maintenance procedures encountered by new mechanics in the field; review electronic flight deck systems and maintenance diagnostics; and practice engine run and aircraft taxi procedures, as well as aircraft ground movement practices.
AVS will conduct transport aircraft systems familiarization training, including turbine engine education, transport aircraft avionics (instruments and navigation) and use it as an airline/transport aircraft procedural trainer.
High school students in the O-ACE program, a collaborative effort between PCC, Hillsboro School District and the Oregon Air Show Charitable Foundation, will also benefit from this donation.
Latest Effort
The college is leading the way on several aviation training fronts to help build a future workforce. In 2020, the college partnered with the Hillsboro School District, Oregon Air Show Charitable Foundation and other key partners to create the dual-credit Oregon Aerospace Careers for Everyone (O-ACE) Program for high school students interested in careers as aviation maintenance technicians, avionics technicians or professional pilots.
Last year, AMT entered into a partnership with Horizon Air called the Horizon Technician Development Program, providing students with industry-relevant training and employment opportunities.
“This Q400 will give students the opportunity to get their hands on a full-size airplane from a real airline and the skills and knowledge they gain will carry them for their entire career,” said Kayler Randall, a graduate of the PCC-Horizon program, who was hired as an aircraft technician in 2021. “This is a huge asset to the program, and I’m really grateful to everyone involved in making this happen.”
Source: Portland Community College Press Release
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“Why Should Flight Training Organisations Implement VR Flight Training?” – Glen Ross
Glen Ross, Project Manager – Virtual Reality Flight Training Project, from well-known New Zealand based aviation focused – Massey University School of Aviation has shared some insights on the value of VR flight training for flight training organizations as shown below:
“Cost reduction: Research, and real-world experience, suggest that training costs can be reduced significantly by adopting these low-footprint, immersive training devices (ITDs) that can be used to supplement or in some cases replace traditional flight training solutions.
Training time reduction: ITDs can increase training throughput and increase the availability of other training resources. Students can achieve proficiency in less time due to the high availability and the realistic nature of the training. VR flight training is also engaging and thus encourages students to undertake and or repeat tasks until they achieve competency.
Down-time trainer: VR ITDs are not restricted by aircraft or instructor availability, maintenance schedules or the weather – and therefore can be utilised any time 24/7.
In addition, those ITDs that adopt virtual instructors, don’t require a human instructor to be present at the time of the lesson – this is a double bonus, as then the flight instructor can be better-utilised teaching in real-world aircraft.
Environmental: Every hour that is flown in a VR ITD has multiple positive environmental impacts. Firstly, there is the reduction in fuel burnt, oil and other consumables that otherwise would be used. Also, less aircraft maintenance will be required and fewer airport and airways charges will be incurred. Secondly, students become proficient quicker when supplementing their flight training with ITDs, thereby increasing the effectiveness of in-aircraft training and ultimately requiring fewer hours to attain their licences.
In summary then, if flight training organisations were to successfully adopt a VR flight training solution, they could potentially train more pilots faster, with improved flexibility, and utilisation, with lower environmental impact, at a lower cost than ever before.”
Source and Photo Credit: Glen Ross (you may contact Glen A. Ross via LinkedIn)
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Construction Begins for New £15.4m Air Training Institute for UK College
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Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics Launches New Residential Course
Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics recently launched its new residential course that gives mission-focused students the opportunity to receive their flight training requirements directly from instructors with a mission aviation organization.
Last week, the school welcomed representatives from JAARS, a North Carolina-based mission aviation organization, to instruct the first Advanced Aircraft Flight Operations class.
“We are gearing the course toward our mission-minded students whose goal is to serve on the mission field as an aviator, whether that be as a pilot or a mechanic,” said Jonny Hewitt, Liberty’s Director of Flight Training.
He said the high-performance flight training they receive is a requirement for most missionary aviation organizations.
Liberty has worked with JAARS for years in its recruiting efforts. The organization was founded in 1948 to provide aviation and communication solutions for missionaries based in remote locations, including Central and South America, the Philippines, Papua, New Guinea, Indonesia, and many parts of Africa. JAARS also partners with Wycliffe to support Bible translation efforts worldwide.
Rachel Stoner, JAARS’ aviation engagement manager and a pilot with the organization, was on site for the training.
“Being in those remote locations, travel is difficult,” she said. “What could be a 10-hour hike could take as short as a 10- or 20-minute flight, so aviation has been proven over the last 75-plus years to be the best mode of transport for our missionaries that are based in those places.”
Stoner said JAARS has a wide fleet of aircraft available to serve various locations with primitive airports and landing strips. She explained that the airplanes are all single-pilot, turbine aircraft that can perform the short takeoffs and landings needed in marginal areas of the world.
“When the runways shrink, the airplanes need to be more powerful, so the high-performance training allows our candidates, our pilots, to have the experience and the certification in order to fly these types of aircraft, so that they’re effective and safe.”
Pilots must be equipped to not only fly the planes, but also perform maintenance on them. Many students pursue their maintenance certificates through Liberty’s one-year Aviation Maintenance Technician program. In recent years, the Aviation Technology program has become increasingly popular as it allows students to earn their pilot and maintenance certificates within a four-year degree.
“It’s difficult to find people who are ready to serve the Lord in places like we’ve been serving, so we need to operate aircraft without a second pilot on board,” Stoner said.
The training was completed in one of JAARS’ aircraft, a Cessna U-206.
“The controls felt a lot heavier (compared with Liberty’s training aircraft, the Cessna Skyhawk 172), but it overall went really well and was really fun,” said Caitlyn McCoy, an Aviation Technology student who will begin her AMTS certification in January “I definitely feel called to mission aviation. I was really excited about this because this has been one of the most tangible steps that I have taken toward a future in mission aviation.”
Hewitt said it is encouraging to see God at work through the partnership with JAARS as a pipeline for sending students into the field.
“That is something very special that we hold near and dear to our hearts as a flight program,” he said.
Hewitt said an emphasis on missionary aviation was a dream of School of Aeronautics’ co-founder Ernie Rogers, and reflected the original vision of Liberty’s founder, the late Dr. Jerry Falwell.
“It was a calling that Dr. Falwell Sr. had,” Hewitt said. “In an email sent the night before he died (in May 2007), he said his vision for this school was that it would be a leader in the training of missionary aviators. We are trying to see that into fruition. We have an excellent team within the School of Aeronautics who are motivating our mission-minded students who want to go serve the Lord overseas using aviation. There’s a lot of cool things that are happening, and we are grateful for the support from the overall university as we get this mission back on task. We have a vision of going forward to be one of the largest producers of missionary aviation aviators.”
Source: Liberty University Press Release
Photo Credit: Liberty University
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