Kansas State University Salina joins Air Associates for professional pilot program recruitment at Cessna Demo Day
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
KANSAS CITY — Aviation enthusiasts interested in pursuing a flying career in the Kansas City metropolitan area will have the opportunity to learn more about becoming a pilot when Kansas State University Salina presents its program at the annual Air Associates of Kansas Cessna Demo Day. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 2, at 12901 W. 151st St., Olathe.
Launching in fall 2015, K-State Salina has partnered with Air Associates and Johnson County Community College to offer a professional pilot degree in the Kansas City area. Students enrolling in the program will receive flight training from Air Associates while taking their core degree courses online from K-State Salina and general education credits from Johnson County Community College. Once they graduate, students will receive a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical technology-professional pilot from Kansas State University.
During Cessna Demo Day, K-State Salina and Air Associates will feature their fleet, including a Cessna TTX, Cessna Skyhawk 172 and Beechcraft Bonanza G36. K-State Salina faculty will give program presentations at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and attendees can enter scholarship drawings and the opportunity to win a free first flight lesson. Chris Cakes also will be serving a free pancake breakfast.
"Cessna Demo Day is the perfect atmosphere and platform to reach out to those wanting to transform their aviation hobby into a fulfilling and fun career," said Tom Cargin, president of Air Associates of Kansas. "From aviation faculty answering questions to an interactive tour of the fleet and a chance to jump-start enrollment through a scholarship drawing, this event is the place to be for potential pilots."
The idea of a partnership between K-State Salina, Johnson County Community College and Air Associates came up a year and a half ago shortly after new federal regulations for airline first officers went into effect. Under the regulations, first officers, or co-pilots, are required to have at least 1,500 hours of flying experience, which was increased dramatically from the previous 250 hours of flight time. However, with a four-year degree, the flight hour requirement is reduced to 1,000 hours.
"K-State Salina is very proud of this unique partnership because it allows the university to provide nationally recognized education in another Kansas community," said Barney King, K-State Salina interim aviation department head. "We are excited that Air Associates and Johnson County Community College are a part of the collaboration and we are all highly anticipating working with the very first class of this new program."
For more information on the professional pilot degree or the event offerings at Cessna Demo Day, contact Danielle Brown, director of K-State Salina professional education and outreach, at 785-826-2633 or dnbrown@k-state.edu.
