| Abstrakt: |
During the last decade, the commercial aviation industry has been increasingly affected by the shortage of skilled pilots, both fixed-wing and rotary-wing (helicopter). In the summer of 2022, several major airlines in the United States canceled a record number of scheduled flights or ran delayed due to the same reason [1]. A unique approach adopted by the airlines to address this challenge is to look for non-traditional sources such as retired military and veteran rotary wing pilots. This led to a growing shortage of helicopter pilots in the medical transport and offshore oil support industries [2]. This challenge also opens new opportunities and career pathways for veterans. Additionally, special training and experience requirements for certificated flight instructors (CFIs) to be able to provide flight instruction in the Robinson R22 and R44 variants make it cost-prohibitive for most military helicopter instructors to transition to civilian flight instruction careers. The Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Science, with a concentration in Rotary Wing (helicopter), offered by the engineering technology department of Austin Peay State University, is a unique venture in the State of Tennessee. The bachelor's degree will support any student who desires to pursue careers in flight instruction, aerial tourism, charter operations, and numerous other aviation applications. While completing a bachelor's degree in Aviation science, students are taught hands-on flight and academic skills in a professional setting. Flight skills and academics are taught at the University's Flight Facility located at the Clarksville Regional Airport (KCKV). Successful students receive a well-rounded undergraduate education in addition to the ability to obtain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor certification. The combination of FAA certification and a bachelor's degree makes our graduates more competitive in the career market. This paper will present the justification for a rotary-wing program, historical enrollment statistics since the program's inception in the fall of 2019, outreach efforts in Veteran and non-Veteran student recruitment, student experience, success stories of students' FAA certification, and employment data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
