Russ Engineering Center | Photo by Monica Brutto | The Wright State Guardian
Wright State University enters partnership with First Flight Aviation offering students additional course options.
A new partnership
In September, the WSU Board of Trustees approved a partnership between the university and First Flight Aviation, a local flight school.
The partnership will provide students the opportunity to learn how to fly while maintaining standard credits, according to the board resolution.
Interim Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science Michael Raymer explained that the university chose to pursue the partnership due to the current shortage of pilots and the importance of flight in the Dayton region.
The recent board resolution only approved the creation of the partnership between WSU and First Flight Aviation. Further details, such as course costs and a program timeline, are still being finalized.
The future of flight in Dayton
“I think the advantage of this for our students is that they can actually earn credit while they’re earning a degree. They can apply that credit as general elective credit towards their degree, and get a pilot’s license along the way,” Raymer said.
Raymer noted that the university hopes to offer courses towards the completion of a private pilot’s license next semester. At the September board meeting, Chair Tom Gunlock expressed hope for the future of aviation at WSU.
“This is just the beginning. It signals a long-term intent of Wright State to develop additional programs addressing workforce needs in the fields of aviation and aerospace,” Gunlock asserted.
Raymer explained that, although the university does plan to offer a broader aviation program in the future, it is unknown what the program will look like exactly.
“We’re just excited to provide these additional enrichment opportunities for the students and to give them something new to be able to learn during their time at Wright State and to have that applied to a degree,” Raymer enthused.
First Flight Aviation declined to comment on the program at this time.
