Liberty Expands Aviation Program

Seth Dotson

Photo courtesy of the author.

Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics is training the next generation of pilots to take to the skies in the face of a changing industry, new technology and regulations.

The U.S. airline industry has suffered an increasing shortage of pilots since the 1980s. Liberty University is working to train up young pilots to take these job positions as older pilots are being forced to retire due to FAA age restrictions. Liberty’s flight simulator program and fleet of 35 airworthy training aircraft enable students to gain the experience necessary to move into the professional field.

Liberty owes a large sum of their success to their flight simulation program. Their training facility includes several ground-based flight simulators, replicating the cockpits and handling characteristics of their 26 Cessna Skyhawks, four Piper Arrows, and a CRJ-200 regional jet, among many others. “Instructors can demonstrate every flight scenario and even crash without the risk or cost of using a real airplane,” said WDBJ7’s Alison Parker after demonstrating one of Liberty’s Cessna simulators in December.

Since their founding in 2003, Liberty’s School of Aeronautics has worked to expand and update their fleet of training aircraft. The fleet’s latest additions have been four Piper Seminole twin-turboprops. The school must keep their fleet up-to-date with the latest FAA policies, with new regulations rolling in on a monthly basis. Efforts to keep updated include a new commercial training course implemented this summer. Cindy Krummrey, academic advisor at the School of Aeronautics, says incoming students are now required to pass a health examination before enrolling with the aviation program.

The school must also ensure that their aircraft’s avionics meet the latest FAA requirements. This includes upgrading from old-style analog cockpits to modern “glass” cockpits, each equipped with a Garmin G1000 GPS navigation package. According to flight instructor Patrick Spencer, Liberty’s entire training fleet has received angle-of-attack indicators and he says that they’re working to add a fleet-wide TAC system, increasing safety and air traffic awareness.

Liberty also has training programs for flight attendants and mechanics. Mechanics are taught the inner workings of aircraft, the science behind them, and how to manufacture and maintain an airplane’s many components.

• Liberty University’s School of Aeronautics has received national recognition for their many achievements, among which are:

• FAA certification (one of only six American universities)

• 2012 hiring agreement with ExpressJet

• 11 wins at the annual National Intercollegiate Flying Association local competition

• Invitation to the 2016 NIFA national competition