“Great pilots are made, not born,” acclaims J.E. Johnnie Johnson, Air Vice Marshal, RAF. This powerful quote is a testament to the importance of top-quality education in the aviation industry. Appropriate training and education boost the confidence of individuals charmed with ambition, courage, and perfect coordination.
Creating a generation of accomplished pilots has been a priority as air travel has seen a surge and aviation enthusiasts have understood the importance of increasing interest in the aviation education field. To develop intended gateways for attracting students around the globe, some institutes have taken an initiative that exposes students to the world of aviation.
Seizing the opportunity to value the efforts of these institutions, our latest magazine issue “The 10 Prominent Aviation Institutions in 2022” features distinguished institutes engraining personalized educational experiences. Being a prominent platform that portrays insightful stories of reinvigorating institutes, this magazine issue is The Education Magazine’s sheer attempt to showcase how featured universities have become the top choices for students worldwide.
People Behind This Issue
Publisher: Archana Ghule
Editor–in–Chief: Vikram Suryawanshi
Managing Editor: Utkarsh Deshpande
Project Editors: Prajakta Zurale
Sarang Mahajan
Creative Head:
Poonam Mahajan
Graphic Designer: Aboli Purkar
Marketing Head:
Research Team: Robert Smith Daisy, Rahul, Maranda, Rocky
From The Editor’s Desk
While observing the painstaking efforts by Aviation educational institutes, we came across some universities that have been redefining aviation operations with comprehensive and hands-on experiences. They have not only adopted new laws, constant technological advancements, and fierce competition but also responded quickly to the dynamics of nature. For this current magazine issue, we have shortlisted distinguished Aviation institutes that have been inspiring and nurturing talents around the world.
On the cover page, we have featured International Flight Academy , a reputed Aviation training institute shaping the future of the students. With its top-notch and affordable education, the institute promises educational
excellence. Elsewhere in the magazine, you will find Saint Louis University , Verbier Summits Paragliding School, Adventure Aviation, and Air Dream College. Also, don’t miss our amazing article E-Learning: Resonates Effective Learning Experience which will educate you about flexible e-learning.
Wish you an insightful read!
Prajakta Zurale Project Editor
Sales & Marketing
Project Head: Aakash Mahajan
Sales Co-ordinator: Emma Frances
The Education Magazine is published by Pericles Ventures Pvt Ltd. This magazine contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. You may not publish, display, disclose, rent, lease, modify, loan, distribute, or create derivative works based on the magazine contents or any part thereof, whether by yourself or as a consultant, employee, partner or in any other role unless authorised in writing by the creator/publisher of the article/, video, audio or any content contained herein. We, the team of The Education Magazine put all the efforts to keep up with the content accuracy. The publisher assumes no responsibility of any part of the content of any advertisement in this publication, including any errors or omissions therein. All rights reserved by Pericles Ventures Pvt Ltd.
Air Dream College www.airdreamcollege.com International Flight Operations Academy www.theifoa.com
Richelieu College www.airrichelieu.ca
Adventure Aviation www.adventureaviation.ca Central Washington University www.cwu.edu
www.bsmraau.edu.bd
www.verbier-summits.com
The aviation industry is essential to the sustainable growth of a globalized society as it
significantly increases social and economic activity. However, the adoption of new laws, constant technological advancements, the growing concern about climate change, and fierce competition have changed the dynamics of education in the aviation sector.
Aviation training schools, thus, need to offer a quick, more contemporary, and long-lasting response to this changing environment. Only a small number of educational institutions are meeting the demands and adequately training students for the current aviation industry. International Flight Operations Academy (IFOA) has created a preceding reputation as one of the most prominent aviation institutions around.
IFOA aspires to be the most known global aviation operations training organization by educating and inspiring the talent that will help shape the future of a safer, more effective, and sustainable aviation sector. With its top-notch, reasonably priced learning and services, the institute promises to constantly provide educational excellence and aviation education competence.
COVER STORY
“The IFOA's main objectives are to facilitate the effective implementation of training programs, reduce costs, upgrade quality, increase efficiencies, and generate synergies between the real aviation world and the students.”
Prerequisites for Success
Attracting and engaging the next generation of operational and ground personal talents is essential to reaching aviation sustainability perspectives. The IFOA’s main objectives are to facilitate the effective implementation of training programs, reduce costs, upgrade quality, increase efficiencies, and generate synergies between the real aviation world and the students.
Moreover, the institute supports the students to understand how the aviation industry operations impact the environment and supports identifying solutions to mitigate these impacts to enable the sustainable development of the aviation sector.
Vincent believes that students must be extremely passionate about aviation because it is a tremendously rewarding yet difficult field to break into. To succeed in the field, one needs to possess traits like resilience, critical thinking, a good attitude, and the ability to adjust to changes in the daily routine. Furthermore, it is crucial to exhibit leadership at all organizational levels.
Incammicia CEO, IFOA
Vincent
Kenneth Kronborg COO, IFOA
Inception against the Odds
Vincent Incammicia, CEO of IFOA, co-founded the institute with Kenneth Kronborg in Switzerland. The Swissbased Institute was founded during the pandemic and is based on the principles of the reputable Danish business Kronborg Air Consult. IFOA combines more than 100 years of experience in a variety of aviation sectors, making it the aggregate of combined knowledge and experience base. The entire IFOA team promotes a “think outside the box” and “work smart” culture for its students to gain competitive advantages by acquiring the required competencies and optimizing operational and environmental efficiency. This culture also enhances the critical decision-making abilities required in the current aviation industry.
The IFOA is committed to providing an education of the highest Swiss caliber that is benchmarked against contemporary global standards. Instead of only passing exams, the institute’s training curriculum emphasizes learning & development. In contrast to the majority of existing programs, the IFOA emphasizes topics that are directly connected to the prospective student roles in the aviation sector rather than in-depth general aviation
theoretical knowledge. As a result, IFOA is abandoning the outdated, traditional training approach in favor of creating and maintaining a Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) approach.
Exclusive Training Programs
IFOA is working to create a framework that seamlessly connects basic skills training, vocational education, and higher education so that the present and upcoming generations of aviation professionals can take advantage of a distinctive experience. The institute has developed suitable training programs to ensure that students enhance aviation safety skills and efficiency to the highest possible level necessary for their challenging and complex area of responsibility.
The initial training is intended for both new and seasoned aviation professionals (such as crew controllers, operations controllers, navigation officers, etc.) who are eager to advance their theoretical knowledge and build the necessary competencies for their upcoming position in a highly dynamic and demanding Operations Control Center (OCC).
EXCLUSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMS
The following topics are covered in CBTA introductory training program:
● Meteorology (MET)
● Navigation (NAV)
● Air Law (LAW)
● Operational Procedures (OP) and Flight Planning (FPL)
● Air Traffic Management (ATM)
● Dispatch Resource Management (DRM) and more.
The institute’s advanced training program is intended for students with prior aviation experience who wish to expand their knowledge and increase the competencies necessary to perform in the extremely tough and dynamic sector.
● North Atlantic, Trans-Pacific, and Trans-Polar Operations
● Performance-Based Navigation (PBN)
● Extended Diversion Time Operations (EDTO)
● Communication Navigation Surveillance (CNS)
● International Flight Planning Specificities
● Isolated airport operations;
● Fuel efficiency development
● Hazardous Weather (including tropical weather and volcanic ash)
The IFOA’s key strength lies in its extensive portfolio which is completed by the following training services:
● Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Air - Initial and Recurrent training
● Train The Trainer program
● Aviation Sustainability
● Ground Handling and FBO training.
“IFOA nurtures a “THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX” and “WORK SMART” culture and shares a common desire to strive for excellence in everything it undertakes.”
Prerequisites for Success
Attracting and engaging the next generation of operational and ground personal talents is essential to reaching aviation sustainability perspectives.
The IFOA’s main objectives are to facilitate the effective implementation of training programs, reduce costs, upgrade quality, increase efficiencies, and generate synergies between the real aviation world and the students.
Moreover, the institute supports the students to understand how the aviation industry operations impact the environment and supports identifying solutions to mitigate these impacts to enable the sustainable development of the aviation sector.
Vincent believes that students must be extremely passionate about aviation
because it is a tremendously rewarding yet difficult field to break into. To succeed in the field, one needs to possess traits like resilience, critical thinking, a good attitude, and the ability to adjust to changes in the daily routine. Furthermore, it is crucial to exhibit leadership at all organizational levels.
Culture of Diversity and Inclusion
The IFOA team is comprised of both male and female professionals from different countries who speak at least 10 different languages. The institute’s instructors were chosen in large part based on their valuable competencies rather than just their background in working with well-known aviation organizations. The complete crew is made up of certified instructors and extremely knowledgeable professionals
from reputable aviation organizations in the international aviation business.
IFOA places a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusiveness as one of its key values. The institute designs the workplace in a way that enables the team to produce its best work and perform at its peak. The culture of creativity, freedom of speech, inclusivity, teamwork, and a variety of views is promoted. IFOA aspires to give any aviation enthusiast the chance to enroll in high-quality, inexpensive vocational training programs before entering the fascinating aviation industry.
A Flexible Approach
IFOA’s training model is entirely flexible, and the institute does not hesitate to adapt the delivery of
“Aviation is not only for pilots and managers. It exists beside the Academic path and essential vocational paths required to understand and evolve in this challenging, dynamic, and complex industry.”
programs to the students or organizations’ needs. Therefore, its training can be delivered effectively in the classroom, digitally, or through a blended learning model. Additionally, the IFOA is actively collaborating with strategic partners to create and offer proactive vocational training programs about the future of the aviation sector based on the state of air travel in 2035 and beyond.
Words of Wisdom
When it comes to Post secondary careers, Kenneth believes, Aviation is a growing field, with innumerable career opportunities to explore. Students can start or continue their careers in an airline or business aviation company as operational control and ground personnel. This personnel plays a key role in every aviation organization and, as pilots and mechanics, are continuously learning. The world of aviation is fascinating. Students should maintain flexibility with the careers they wish to pursue and keep their alternatives open. They should also be resilient and driven by passion.
RESHAPING FLIGHT EDUCATION WITH ACTIVE TRAINING EXPERIENCES
The airline industry is working towards filling all the positions that were suspended during COVID as air travel has restarted and air traffic is on the rise. On the other hand, it has been challenging for aspiring pilots to acquire practical experience due to the lack of air travel. As schools and institutions have reopened, prospective pilots are keen to gain hands-on experience in a wellknown and respected institution.
Adventure Aviation, one of the eminent institutions, has made it a goal to offer effective and safe flight training to equip its students to work in any area of the aviation industry.
Adventure Aviation has been operating and training pilots since 2000. The institution offers a vast range of training to students to prepare them for all aspects of the aviation industry. From remote bush operations to the executive and commercial airlines, the institution works hard to prepare the students to achieve their objectives.
Flight Training and Various Programs
Adventure Aviation operates as one of the finest flight schools in Canada. With commercially maintained aircraft and well-trained instructors, its training environment is secure and effective. The institution has launched numerous students into great aviation careers, as well as helped many of them acquire an aircraft, and provided them with advanced safety training.
Adventure Aviation offers comprehensive flight training, including night ratings for the Private Pilot's license and training for multiengine IFR. Additionally, it offers specialized training in areas including mountain operations, tailwheel operations, and operations on unimproved runways. Adventure
Aviation provides both recreational and commercial programs and handles all the administrative and academic parts of flight instruction, including written exams, flight tests, and licensing processes, all in-house, a capability limited to only the greatest flight schools in Canada. The institution has a successful track record with more than 500 graduates to date.
Some facilities and defining features of the institution include :
•Adventure Aviation strives to meet all schedules and timetables of enrolled students. Through the initial consultation process with students, the institution identifies the goals of students and sets an appropriate schedule for completion.
•Its recently constructed training facility has more than 10,000 square feet of hangar space in addition to bright, contemporary classrooms and offices.
•Through frequent fly-ins and
planned flights, the institution collaborates with nearby flight schools to promote student engagement.
Quality Instructors and Charter Planes
The instructors at Adventure Aviation have undergone thorough screening and training. Courtesy of the extensive Preparatory Ground Briefings and well-planned training flights, students graduate with flight hours significantly below the national average. Entry-level positions are often filled by pilots with 1,000–2,000 hours under their belts.
The flight school recognizes the instructors’ varied skill sets, which offer a wide spectrum of training.
When hired by the Institution, flight instructors begin as Class 4 instructors with less than 500 hours of flight time. After working as an instructor for 12 to 18 months, many instructors reach the hourly requirements to go to the airlines. As a result, flight instructors can advance in their careers more swiftly than an average pilot. Additionally, instructors and students who want to fly charters to enhance
their flying time are drawn to the institution's charter operations.
Transport Canada has approved Adventure Aviation to operate charters for both people and cargo. The organization offers VFR and IFR flights using both multi-engine and single-engine aircraft. CESSNA 172N, CESSNA 172M, PIPER PA30, and PIPER PA31 are a few of the charters used by the university.
Adventure Aviation operates:
•3 Cessna Skyhawk C172
•One Piper Twin Comanche PA30
•One ALSIM 250 Simulator certified for IPCs
•On Piper Navajo PA31
Healthy Ties with Grande Prairie Airport
The renowned Grande Prairie Regional Airport is located adjacent to the vibrant city of Grande Prairie. The airport provides all of the approaches, amenities, and technology of the larger airports without the heavy air traffic. This makes excellent use of both time
and money and provides students with a more pleasant learning environment. Students can train at one of the practice areas, which are located five minutes from the airport.
Adventure Aviation is also a member of the Grande Prairie Tourism Association. The Institution has created airborne sightseeing (Flightseeing) trips to stunning natural landmarks. The length of the tours varies to accommodate any travel. The Institution’s capabilities are enhanced by charters for aerial survey and reconnaissance missions as well as small aircraft transportation.
Diversity and Accommodation
All of Adventure Aviation’s programs are available to both domestic and international students. There is a different application procedure for students from other countries. Additionally, the institution works with flight instructors from a variety of nationalities.
For full-time students, Adventure Aviation offers on-site lodging, allowing them to live close to the
“Adventure Aviation's mission is to provide safe and efficient flight training to prepare students to enter any sector of the aviation industry.”
airport and fly several times a day. This lowers living costs and boosts training effectiveness. For full-time out-of-town students attending the flight training facilities, the institution provides onsite housing. The facility provides wireless Internet access, wellappointed private bedrooms, a fully functional kitchen, laundry facilities, restrooms with showers, and other amenities.
Man in the Cockpit
Phil Troyer (One of the owners of Adventure Aviation ) is the driving force behind Adventure Aviation. Phil grew up surrounded by aircraft, as his father was a bush pilot in northern Canada. He feels that the flight school gives him the chance to share his love for flying with other eager pilots and aid them in achieving their objectives.
Phil’s response, when asked for advice for prospective pilots, is, “Don’t become too focused on the area of the industry that is your end aim. There will be lots of opportunities along the road to explore different facets of the aviation sector. Enjoy the voyage and take in the experiences!”
AIR DREAM COLLEGE
CREATING AVIATION SUPER HEROES WITH UNIQUE LEARNING SYSTEMS
The air transport industry is important for global socio-economic growth and serves as a catalyst for economic
development. It not only creates direct/indirect employment and supports tourism and local businesses but also stimulates foreign investment and international trade. With the commercial aviation traffic demand gaining fame after the pandemic, student pilots will have a great opportunity to fill the vacancies created by personal reforms and fleet growth.
To support this restructuring of the industry, many institutes have started creating batches of accomplished pilots with outstanding education in aviation. With strategically designed programs and an aim to provide continuous and personalized experiences, Air Dream College has become a distinguished choice for students in Portugal.
Fly-high Inception
With the vision to be recognized as “The School” with unique conditions and tools for students to maximize their capabilities, Air Dream College was established in 2019. The college holds a goal for students to become professionals of excellence and capable of making the best decisions despite adverse situations. It inculcates values like innovation, quality, rigor, responsibility, excellence, and originality, as well as capacity and suitability, flexibility, competence, diversity, and ecology in students for a better future.
Creative Programs
Playing an important role in the aeronautical training market, Air Dream College provides a plethora of aviation programs. Currently, the college has three courses—Private Pilot License, Modular ATPL (A), and The Flight Operations Officer / Dispatch Officer (FOO / DO).
• Private Pilot License (PPL) : It is designed to train a pilot applicant for an aircraft license. This course aims to teach students how to fly aircraft safely and proficiently in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) adhering to the Visual Flight Rules (VFR). A PPL license holder can serve as Pilot Commander (PIC) or co-pilot in non-commercial aircrafts or Touring Motor Gliders without remuneration.
• Modular Airline Transport Pilot License (MATPL) : It is a popular choice for students as it allows enrollment for those who do not wish to leave their current parttime or full-time study or employment. Students opting for this program must complete nine main modules to become an airline pilot including PPL(A), Night Rating (NR), ATPL Theory (Ground School), Hour Building, Instrument Rating (SEP+PBN), Multi-Engine Rating (MEP), Upset Prevention Recovery Training (UPRT), Commercial Pilot License (CPL(A)), and Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC).
• The Flight Operations Officer / Dispatch Officer (FOO / DO) : The holder of the license is allowed to dispatch flights, after analyzing all relevant operational information about the safe conduct of the flight. The main goal of these
professionals is to ensure that the trip is carried out in the best possible safety conditions.
Adapting to the changing market demands, the college has increased the course flight hours to allow for easier entry into an airline. In the case of academic programs, it usually opens three classes of ATPL (A) and two classes of Flight Operation Officer per year. Moreover, a maximum of 12 students are allowed in the class as this method ensures better school performance as well as promotes proximity between students and trainers.
Brilliant Educational Strategies
The growing sector of aviation needs responsible, efficient, and highly qualified professionals. To create an accomplished batch of new pilots having dedication, passion, and selfmotivation, Air Dream College follows principles of innovation, rigor, and quality. These principles are fundamental for the correct exercise of
an aviation professional in a highly competitive and technological market. The college stands out differently due to its distinct ways of delivering education. It is the first and only school in Europe to follow the B-learning system that includes distance learning.
To carry out unique strategies, the college brings out a team of permanent instructors, with excellent technical and pedagogical skills. It believes in personalized training and constant monitoring of each student that give space to greater proximity and interactivity between trainer and students. Having a limited number of students enables the college to have greater flexibility in scheduling classes, which in turn, is beneficial for them to complete the course in the allotted time. Considering the selection of locations with privileged atmospheric conditions, the college has strategically chosen the city of Évora.
Additionally, the college provides students with more real flight hours and new aircrafts with the latest
“Follow your passion! Don't give up on your Dreams! Any career in aviation is highly rewarding in every aspect.”
technology that give better skill and proficiency to the pilot. To assimilate theoretical subjects and other technical aspects, practical learning is provided in glider flights, in cooperation with the Center for Free Flight of Montemor-o-Novo. The modular system offers excellent and error-free learning.
Engagement with Glider Experience
Apart from the best academic courses, Air Dream College caters to student engagement by arranging extracurricular activities. Moreover, the college promotes Glider Experience as the main activity that gives a boost of motivation. This is usually carried out during the theory phase allowing
students to understand how the glider flies along with theoretical studies.
Maintaining Diversity and Inclusion
Air Dream College aims to be an inclusive campus from all aspects of the world. The college website has a social letter that promotes equality and includes everyone regardless of color, skin, sexual preferences, identity, or any other aspect. Moreover, the college welcomes international students from a variety of countries and backgrounds. All the students are treated equally regarding opportunities as well and they undergo a custom follow-up by the professor according to each student’s needs.
Pursuing Excellent Careers
The three courses offered by Air Dream College provide students with better opportunities for their successful careers. After pursuing ATPL Licence, students can start as the First Officer and further get promoted to Captain or instructor. A PPL license is actually not a career option as it is only for persons intending to be weekend pilots . After the Flight operation officer/dispatcher course, students can get an essential role to dispatch all the flights. It also promotes to the next level of serving as a Team Leader.
Resonates Effective Learning Experience E-Learning
Today, there are massively growing numbers of applicants applying to universities. The universities in order to try to meet this increasing demand they increase the number of admissions. The irony here is, they are increasing admissions but the admission rates are still declining because they cannot increase the admissions at a rate to meet the demand. For example, an engineering institute has only 60 seats in the mechanical department but the demand outside are much larger. So, not only there is a massive growth of students entering the universities, it should theoretically be bigger than it is. What can a university do to try to combat this increase in the student population?
If a university wants to keep the same class sizes, they have to hire more faculty members. However, it's not a very easy process. They have to hire people or have to put some type of tenure track in plan. However, this is something that they cannot do rapidly enough to meet the growing student population.
Now, it’s interesting to see that they are using technology (e-learning) to help remedy this issue.
Introducing e-learning to meet massive student strengths
Throughout history, people have had a good number of jobs that by now they do not really even go to a professional
to use. They have some apps or tools that can do it for them. For instance, taxi drivers are still in business but maybe in 2020, they will not even be around anymore if a giant company like Google will make self-driving cars. In the future, the technologies will take all professions and try to bring those directly into the hands of consumers. This drives universities to apply the idea into a classroom setting and hopefully replace professors with some type of technology that brings education into the hands of the students themselves.
E-learning has been innovated with hands down the best way generations today are using it to educate themselves. It’s not only getting more
diverse but also expanding its reach far beyond brick-and-mortar classrooms. Classrooms once used to be an ordinary learning environment are now densely populated with rigid students, who believe this is their only gateway to get a ticket into the pearly gates of engineering or medical or any other meant to be secured field. Factory-like structure to prepare schoolers to get into the best possible colleges, students had been struggling around limited and competitive education system. But now they are embracing e-learning or blended learning (classroom and online education) to create self- learning environment.
E-learning is flexible and vast and that's the reason students/learners should catch up and inherit this effective and engaging way of learning. Statistics show that e-learning makes students glued-in to the syllabus until it completes, which is amazing. One of the refreshing qualities of e-learning is that it presents all the elements that exist within and around a student. The reason for e-learning to hit every right
node is because of its accessibility, personalized learning, learning flexibility, academic collaboration, and affordability. It reflects the genuine and actual representation of several aspects of a student’s life. It ignores the money-making schools and colleges and devoted to identifying credible students to garner their talents.
Critical success factors of e-learning
E-learning is a result of merging information technology with education. In a university environment, there are four groups in the classification of e-learning critical success factors (CSFs); instructor, student, information technology, and university support. Many types of researches identify that technology, instructor, and previous use of technology from the student’s perspective are the main three CSFs. These factors can be further described as;
Ÿ Technology : ease of access and navigation, device interface design and level of interaction
Ÿ Instructor: professors’ attitude towards students, instructor technical competence and classroom interaction
Ÿ Student prior IT experience : having a computer and positive attitude towards e-learning is critical to e-learning success.
The CSFs for e-learning in developing countries like India include motivation towards e-learning, awareness, and the availability of basic technology, and good education support. The classroom environment in these countries can be spelled through the behavior of an iceberg where lectures are just on the surface. The surface where students are being exposed to a wide amount of information but not really diving deep into any of it! Ironically in the current system, the professor is just involved in classroom lectures that students can learn from the internet. But the place where the professor’s expertise would be extra useful is the place of addressing those learning breakdowns.
Technological related factors of e-learning
Online courses are trying to utilize the technology to hopefully simulate oneon-one instruction. By putting professor-trained devices it became possible to help students learn. Over the span of the past few years, users had out the surge of all different platforms such as, Udemy, Udacity, Coursera, Edx, and many more that helped them create courses on. Moreover, people have created courses that teach biology, computer science, math, history, and/or any topic that one wants to learn on the internet. However, adding technological related aspects complete these e-learning solutions. The relevant references are:
Ÿ Ease of Access: Ease of access refers to the easy access and usability of the website for students. Through this feature, students are able to log into the system at any time accessing the flexibility offered by the website. This ease encourages students to visit and learn without facing any second thought.
Ÿ Interface Design: The visual structure and design aspects are important because they make online courses appealing and wellstructured. The screen design and visual technology interface are critical to the success of e-learning. These aspects are vital facets of the user experience.
Ÿ Level of Interaction: Whether its classroom or virtual classroom the interactive communication plays a significant role to create a healthy learning environment. In e-learning, the instructor promotes a highly interactive virtual classroom environment, where each student learns around his/her comfort.
Ÿ System Quality: System quality offers availability, ease of use, reliability, and response time. It favors students’ satisfaction with web-based learning, higher learning, personalization, and interactivity. Provides attributes like maintainability, portability, and cost.
Ÿ Service Quality: When a student finds the service positive as it should be. Service quality increases the perceived ease of use. Feedback and other genuine responses from learners are quick and responsive. Reliability and assurance are some attributes that have a positive impact on customer satisfaction.
E-learning is also helping working professionals gain access to full degree programs and/or specific courses and allowing underprivileged people to access education who previously didn’t have any. It is indeed an enjoyable experience because people want to learn and e-learning makes it fun to learn. The beauty of having this facility is that learners from all around the world with all different backgrounds are able to help each other. It’s a great time investment and it does pay off!
The majority of technical training in aviation schools has given way to a more traditional
academic experience and students are now expected to be well-educated and trained. They require training that covers resource management, psychology, human factors, and ethics in addition to the essentials of the flight crew. Simply being able to fly an airplane is no longer sufficient. Knowledge about the airline, air carrier operations, charter operations, fixed-base operations, and everything in between has become essential. Students need to comprehend the aviation industry as a whole.
Saint Louis University (SLU) provides aeronautics specializations in both flight science and aviation management. The University provides career options for students who are certain that they wish to pursue a career flying airplanes and should enroll in the flight science program. And students who might desire to pursue another career in aviation, such as an airport manager or flight dispatcher, should enroll in the aviation management track.
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
TRANSFORMING NEXT-GEN PILOTS WITH AERONAUTICAL SCIENCE SPECIALIZATION
Beginning Its Historic Excellence
One of the oldest and most esteemed Catholic, Jesuit universities in the country, Saint Louis University is based in St. Louis, Missouri, and also has a campus in Madrid, Spain. SLU, which was founded in 1818, is renowned for its top-notch academics, groundbreaking research, compassionate medical treatment, and unwavering devotion to faith and service.
Saint Louis University’s Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation Science was established in 1927 and was the nation’s first flight school to receive federal certification. Ten percent of the pilots who flew in World War II were trained at the University in the 1940s. Graduates have gone on to work as airline executives and captains, Blue Angels, NASA space directors, and a variety of other positions. The mission of Saint Louis University is to further the glory of God and serve humanity by pursuing the truth. The University strives for excellence in the pursuit of its goals of teaching, research, healthcare, and community service.
Catering to Educational Requirements
Students nowadays still need technical aviation knowledge in addition to interpersonal skills, the capacity to keep up with current business trends, and the capacity to foresee the future. Aeronautics at SLU has evolved from a largely technical degree to one that is completely well-rounded, including courses in human factors, air carrier operations, and fundamental flight crew procedures. Students are also expected to grasp aviation law and ethics.
Technical knowledge requires understanding that goes beyond basic
“The Mission of Saint Louis University is the pursuit of truth for the greater glory of God and the service of humanity.”
flying. Students must have experience flying airplanes in the transport category. SLU offers a wide variety of subjects to aid its students in understanding subjects like these. Saint Louis University’s fleet includes aircraft with innovative Garmin G1000nxi navigational equipment. The School guarantees that its graduates receive the best education possible to pursue their aspirations after they graduate.
SLU’s fleet consists of Piper Archers, Piper Seminoles, and Diamond DA-20 aircraft. To support flight training courses, the University offers a wide variety of flight simulators. In the first two weeks on campus, students are flying planes (with flight instructors). Students fly in a dynamic and complicated air environment because the institute operates in an area with a lot of air activity, including corporate aviation, military, manufacturing, and major and regional airlines. Flying skills must be developed by students in congested airspace.
Aviation-Focused Groups and Activities
Saint Louis University offers aviationfocused student groups and organizations. These include:
• Alpha Eta Rho is a co-ed aviation fraternity. The group’s objective is to support members in achieving their unique aviation career goals by encouraging professional development and presenting chances that would not often be available to men and women in college.
• Women in Aviation International (WAI) is an organization dedicated to advancing women in the aviation industry. The Saint Louis University chapter was founded with this objective.
• Flying Billikens, NIFA Flight Team: The primary goal of The Flying Billiken is to impart
•knowledge on a variety of aviation-related subjects, including flight planning, preflight, navigation, the E6B flight computer, and landings, to present these subjects at the National Intercollegiate Flight Association Competition (NIFA) in the fall.
Additionally, the other 100+ student groups and service organizations on campus are all open to aviation students.
Career Opportunities
To acquire the flight hours required to become airline and enterprise pilots, many recent SLU flight graduates choose to start their careers as flight instructors. All graduates, however, can perform a range of jobs in the aviation sector. Furthermore, SLU graduates have gone on to fly for all branches of the military. Graduates in aviation management work in a range of aviation-related fields, including airlines, airports, fixed-base operations, and more.
Diversity and Inclusion on the Campus
A faculty member from the Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation Science chairs the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee at SLU’s School of Science and Engineering. The University promotes Girls in Aviation Day through outreach to area high schools, flying clubs, and organizations each year. SLU invites a large number of middle and high school-aged girls to campus on this day so they can learn about every facet of the aviation industry. For students from underrepresented groups who want to pursue their goals of studying aviation, SLU also provides scholarships.
Furthermore, SLU provides a welcoming environment for a number of international students in the aviation department. The governments of many foreign nations have funded students to pursue aviation degrees at SLU. Additionally, many international students come to SLU’s campus through the INTO Program.
An Alum Dedicated to SLU
Steve Magoc, the chairperson of Saint Louis University’s Oliver L. Parks Department of Aviation Science graduated from SLU and worked in the aviation industry. He saw the opportunity to return to SLU and help educate the next generation of aviation professionals. SLU’s strong mission and vision have guided his career and kept Steve there for more than 40 years. Seeing students go on to fulfill their lifelong dreams of becoming pilots and industry leaders keeps Steve engaged and working to
keep the program relevant despite the ever-changing nature of the industry.
Talking about his goal, Steve states, “I love the aviation industry. I enjoy giving back and helping to develop the next generations of aviation leaders. My goal is to continue to try to stay at the front of aviation changes that affect the industry and stay in line with the trends to continue to attract top-notch students.”
When asked for a piece of advice for students seeking a career in the aviation industry, Steve enunciates, “Be on time. One second late is still late. Understand that you are getting into an industry that changes frequently. Seek out skills that you can learn or develop that can be useful in the aviation industry or within other industries during downturns in the aviation industry.”
VERBIER SUMMITS PARAGLIDING SCHOOL
Paragliding in the Heart of the Swiss Alps
Paragliding has improved during
the past ten years, making it more accessible to a wider range of people. As it gets even safer, individuals of all ages and backgrounds are participating in this thrilling sport. While the idea of paragliding continues to draw interest, the value of paragliding schools has emerged, and requirements for high safety at reputable paragliding institutes have grown.
The quickest and easiest way to become certified to paraglide is through Verbier Summits Paragliding School. The institute is the only BHPA school that is also overseen by The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (in French: L’Office fédéral de l’aviation civile) (OFAC), in contrast to every other BHPA school in the world. This means more rules, but the highest level of security is implemented.
First ever Flight
The Verbier Summits Paragliding School was founded in 2003 by Mike and Stuart Belbas , identical twins. Thousands of students from all over the world are trained at one of the top Free Flight schools in the world. With its base in the breathtaking Swiss Alps, Verbier Summits has access to topnotch terrain and conditions for training pilots, regardless of their level of experience.
The vision of Verbier Summits is to develop the best training possible in a top-notch environment. In Verbier, students from all over the world come to learn paragliding. Verbier Summits Paragliding School strives to uphold the high standard of instruction that has earned it international acclaim while continuing to prepare pilots to adapt to flying in various environments and weather conditions.
Various Programs and Careers Opportunities
The Paragliding School at Verbier Summits has grown to offer a variety of courses on various glider models. The institute offers commercial pilot license training in addition to advanced courses like thermal and cross-country flying.
A majority of college students who take up paragliding do so as a recreational activity; however, a select number turn it into a career. These types of advanced courses are also taught at Verbier-Summits, where graduates can pursue jobs as test pilots, instructors of courses, or glider designers.
Distinguishing Factors and Campus
Verbier Summits is the only school in the Alps with BHPA accreditation. With FSVL and BHPA accreditation, the school can offer courses for all kinds of pilots. Since the courses are taught in English, many international pilots find it appealing. Due to the diverse conditions involved in high mountain flying, pilots who train in the Alps are equipped to fly practically anywhere.
The majority of the flying lessons at Verbier Summits are inside, and lodging is offered in a recently constructed lodge. Private rooms are offered alongside shared kitchens and common areas, making it a very social
“VERBIER SUMMITS PARAGLIDING SCHOOL STRIVES TO UPHOLD THE HIGH STANDARD OF INSTRUCTION THAT HAS EARNED IT INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM WHILE CONTINUING TO PREPARE PILOTS TO ADAPT TO FLYING IN VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTS AND WEATHER CONDITIONS.”
environment. Without regard to age or location, the institute accepts students from anywhere.
Bills gates and Bear Grylls were impressed by Verbier’s services and quoted:
“Thank you for looking after my kids”
- Bill Gates
“What an amazing place...thanks Stu for all the great advice.”
- Bear Grylls
Essential Skills and Qualifications
Paragliding is primarily a leisure aviation activity known as free flight. As with all aspects of aviation, having strong hand-eye coordination and a grasp of the weather are essential. Due to the fact that the gliders are not powered, which means that they cannot be flown in all weather conditions, it is crucial to have a solid understanding of winds and weather. In addition to teaching students how to fly their gliders, instruction also covers other topics including air law and aerodynamics as well as weather theory.
Verbier Summits flying qualifications include:
• FSVL & OFAC Instructor and Instructor Trainer (highest instructor qualification in the world).
• FSVL and OFAC Tandem Instructor.
• FSVL Tandem Pilot.
• FSVL Hang-glider Pilot.
• BHPA Senior Instructor.
• PPL (Private Pilots License)
Fly in the Mountains
The Verbier Summits guiding service is very extensive, and the institute employs guides who fly along while continuously monitoring and instructing over the radio. This is coaching as well as directing. The institute makes use of the best flying conditions in all of Europe statistically. The institute provides the most airtime possible, approximately 300 flyable days per year, and top-to-bottom heights of up to 1700 meters.
For high-altitude training, Verbier Summits also offers glacier launches as part of their training scheme, with drops to local summits by helicopter.
Founders’ Love for
The institute’s originator and primary instructors, Mike and Stuart Belbas, are well-known in the industry for their commitment to its development. They were just 17 years old when they began their RAF flight training and received the PPL. The duo has been flying hang gliders and paragliders for more than 25 years. During that time, they worked as test pilots and stunt pilots, and have earned a reputation as industry leaders. After that, they continued to fly fixed-wing planes before discovering their true love for aviation: free flight.
Their true love, however, is encouraging people to learn to fly, which is why they founded Verbier Summits to provide the best flight instruction available. When asked about a piece of advice for students seeking a career in the aviation industry, Stuart Belbas states;
“Fly, fly, fly. The only way to become a professional pilot is to be an exceptional one and the only way to do that is to spend as much time in the air as possible. Once a pilot truly becomes proficient, a career becomes possible.”
