Winner of the Society of Professional Journalists’ Mark of Excellence award
Spring Issue 8
April 28, 2015
The Florida Tech Crimson
Photos by RD
College of Aeronautics takes over, downsizes FIT Aviation Rebekah Duntz Editor-in-Chief After allegedly suffering a nearly $2 million profit loss last year, the College of Aeronautics has taken over FIT Aviation. In late February, seven middle-management positions were cut, and a no-fly weekend was declared for the weekend of Feb. 28 where planes were not authorized to fly so that FIT Aviation employees could adjust, according to an email sent out to its employees. Victoria Dunbar, the division director for College of Aeronautics and deputy executive director at the flightline, confirmed that FIT Aviation suffered a substantial loss last year, close to $2 million, and the college is working on implementing strategies to help the business stay afloat. FIT Aviation remains a forprofit, limited liability company. “The main ways that we’re cutting costs is on salaries, selling fuel for less, and promoting out-
side maintenance,” Dunbar said. FIT Aviation flight instructors were given a choice: to stay and be demoted to hourly pay, taking a pay cut, or to quit their jobs.. Three of the seven affected employees chose to quit. “I think it was a necessary evil,” Shannon Ferry, the chief instructor at FIT Aviation, said of the layoffs. “Especially when you don’t have the customer base.” FIT Aviation also sells fuel for profit and has reduced its price this year, hoping to draw in more customers. FIT Aviation also performs routine maintenance to anyone that needs it done, like oil changes and plane checks. Flight students have noticed a shift this semester, and many also expressed irritation on Yik Yak in March during the no-fly weekend. “Flight training has been the same, besides a few of the costs have gone down,” said student pilot Gabriel Hall. “And I’ve seen some people get the option to either stay or leave.” Hall said he hasn’t seen any changes that have affected his
The cockpit of the Piper Archer at the Buehler Building.
coursework. The university made these changes in order to remain compliant with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation requirements, as well as the severe profit loss last year.
college also wanted more control over training aspects of the program, mainly to get the course education and flight training more in line with each other. “We’ve talked about really trying to get the classes that are
“The main ways that we’re cutting costs is on salaries, selling fuel for less, and promoting outside maintenance,” Dunbar said. Ferry said SACS requires that the dean of College of Aeronautics must oversee FIT Aviation practices to ensure the students receive quality education and training. In the past, the college’s deans have overseen FIT Aviation. But last year, Korhan Oyman, the dean of College of Aeronautics, was not in charge of FIT Aviation oversight. The College of Aeronautics took over daily flight operations at FIT Aviation on Oct. 1, and then European Agency Safety Agency and Airline training shortly after, while also making changes to the curriculum. According to the email sent out to FIT Aviation employees, the college “quickly made some changes to increase safety and oversight.” “It’s supposed to be seamless,” said Dunbar, describing the merger. “We’re kind of streamlining it.” According to Dunbar, the
taught on campus in line with what we’re teaching at Flightline,” Ferry said. “There’s a little bit of some gaps there.” The number of students pursuing flight has decreased, giving more reason for layoffs and pay cuts.
“Right now we have less than 200 students, where we used to have about 500 students,” Dunbar said of recent years. The College of Aeronautics holds the smallest campus enrollment at 8.42 percent, according to the university’s website. “Definitely, morale needs a boost,” Ferry said. “So we are trying different things, like a barbecue next week as a department thing, to try to help and have fun. To say hey, we appreciate you.” Ferry said she feels like the move was a good idea and that the change has mainly improved communication among students, faculty and flight instructors, pointing out that there were too many middlemen before. “We’re working on morale,” said Ferry. “It’s so important to come together and remember that we’re a unity and we are one.” v
Breakdown from FIT’s website. Additional reporting done by Niket Ghelani for this story.
Women’s soccer coach Fidgi Haig coach dies at 47 Andrew Shipotofsky Staff Writer Fidgi Haig died from natural causes on April 16. He was 47. This is the second loss in the athletic department in the past six months after Alex Brack’s death last November. Haig suffered a heart attack and had been in a coma. He leaves behind three children, a wife and thousands of former players that he coached through the years. A visitation on April 20 was held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and a service was celebrated on April 21 at 11 a.m. at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Indialantic. Students received an email from Athletic Director William Jurgens on April 16 informing the Florida Tech community of Haig’s death. “Like many, I have lost a
dear friend,” Jurgens said in the email. “Fidgi had a tremendous impact on our women’s soccer program, university and the entire community. He has left a rich legacy that will be evident for many years to come. He always put the university first and his love for being here could be seen on a daily basis.” President Anthony Catanese also said a few words. “The magnitude of Coach Fidgi Haig’s positive impact on this university and this community cannot be calculated,” Catanese said. “An outstanding coach, mentor and friend to so many, he will be deeply missed. We grieve with his family during this difficult time. His loss leaves us saddened, yet grateful that we were able to count Fidgi a member of the Florida Tech family for so many years.” Haig coached at Florida Tech for the last 10 seasons. He
recorded over 97 wins as head coach. Haig is also a former student-athlete at Florida Tech and was on the 1988 Men’s Soccer National Championship team. In the Championship, he scored winning the goal as a forward. Haig not only coached at Florida Tech, but also was on staff for Florida’s Olympic Development Team and coached two Space Coast United teams. He’s also currently ranked fourth in the nation in all-time high school wins. “Who I am today and what I have done as a player, coach and person is due to Fidgi’s impact in my life,” said Viera High girls’ soccer coach Courtney BainesLundy. Baines-Lundy is also a former player for Haig. “I carry his lessons with me and have and always will pass them on to those around me,” Baines-Lundy said. “We are with heavy hearts
today as we’ve lost a true leader for the sport of soccer,” said Phil Rawlins, Orlando City Soccer Club’s founder and president. “Fidgi’s impact on the game is one that goes far beyond wins and losses. His legacy and contribution to the sport will carry on for many years to come. Orlando City SC offers its sincerest condolences to the Haig family during this time.” Many current Florida Tech women’s soccer players took to social media to express their sorrow for the loss of their coach. Many expressed that Haig was a father figure to them and will be greatly missed. Dustin Smith, Haig’s assistant coach for the past five seasons, will become the soccer program’s interim head coach.
Spring 2015 Graduation list inside
Counseling services are provided to students at no cost at CAPS, located at the intersection of University Boulevard and Country Club Road. v
Fidgi Haig Photo by Florida Tech Athletics