Worldwide Campus to Partner with Nashville Flight Training on Degree Program for Flight School Students
James Roddey
James Roddey
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James Roddey
Jun 21, 2017, 9:19 AM
Partnership Provides Path for Flight Students at Nashville Flight Training to Receive a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics Degree Needed for Commercial Pilot Career; Addresses National Pilot Shortage
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide has partnered with Nashville Flight Training (NFT) to give future pilots a pathway to commercial pilot careers. NFT and the University are offering a degree program allowing NFT flight students to work concurrently toward a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics while working to receive a pilot license. The unique partnership offers the opportunity for NFT students to complete training as fully licensed and rated commercial pilots with the aviation-related university degree necessary for a commercial pilot career in the airline industry.
The agreement comes at a good time, as various industry reports indicate the supply of qualified commercial pilots is not meeting the needs for pilots in the industry. SkyWest Inc. president and CEO Chip Childs warned Congress in March of a “growing pilot shortage” that could lead to the grounding of large numbers of aircraft as more than 6,000 pilots a year are retiring. This agreement will allow NFT pilots to start in their careers for a smaller airline and then, armed with a degree from Embry-Riddle Worldwide, move into the ranks of the major airlines to keep the nation’s airways open.
“We are honored to partner with Embry-Riddle to create a cooperative education path for our flight students,” said Chris Erlanson, Nashville Flight Training owner and president. “Not only does this program open up the incredible opportunity for flight training students right here in Nashville to obtain an Embry-Riddle education, but it also serves as a way for both organizations to address the national pilot shortage by providing future pilots with the training and degrees needed to become commercial pilots.”
The NFT- Embry-Riddle Worldwide agreement was finalized at a ceremony at Nashville Flight Training at Nashville International Airport (BNA) on June 15.
“Embry-Riddle is delighted to join forces with Nashville Fight Training to provide a career pathway for ambitious men and women who want to learn to fly in the commercial aviation industry,” said Michael Kosher, director of business development and enrollment at Embry-Riddle. “We are excited to be part of this initiative.”
About Nashville Flight Training
Established in 2010, Nashville Flight Training provides affordable flight instruction from award winning, FAA-certified instructors and offers state-of-the-art equipment. The flight training facility is based at the Nashville International Airport. For the last two years, Nashville Flight Training has been recognized for its high standard of accomplishment in flight training by the world’s largest aviation association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). The flight school was awarded a spot on the Flight Training Excellence Awards Honor Roll in 2015 and 2016, a title given to an elite list of flight schools from AOPA’s annual flight training poll. Nashville Flight Training was also the launch partner school for the ExpressJet Airlines Preferred School Program offering aviation students career progression opportunities with ExpressJet Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. (NASDAQ: SKYW). For more information about Nashville Flight Training visit www.nashvilleflightraining.com or email info@nashvilleflighttraining.com.