In Support of Armed Forces, Embry-Riddle Partners With U.S. Air Force to Provide Initial Pilot Training

Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus has signed an agreement with the U.S. Air Force to provide Initial Pilot Training to commissioned officers selected for Undergraduate Pilot Training. Prescott Flight Department Chair Parker Northrup, a retired Air Force colonel, says Embry-Riddle is prepared to provide the high-quality training needed to meet the Air Force’s requirements.
Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus has signed an agreement with the U.S. Air Force to provide Initial Pilot Training to commissioned officers selected for Undergraduate Pilot Training. Prescott Flight Department Chair Parker Northrup, a retired Air Force colonel, says Embry-Riddle is prepared to provide the high-quality training needed to meet the Air Force’s requirements.

Sarah Barczyk /

Jan 02, 2025, 1:58 PM

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott Campus has signed a landmark agreement with the U.S. Air Force to provide Initial Pilot Training to commissioned officers selected for Undergraduate Pilot Training. These officers, who have already graduated from college and received their commissions, hail from various institutions.

The training program at Embry-Riddle will result in selected officers earning their Private Pilot - Single Engine Land certificate, instrument rating and airplane multiengine rating for private pilots.

Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D., said that the collaboration will not only assist the Air Force in addressing its growing need for skilled pilots but will also support the country’s defense.

“Embry-Riddle is proud to offer our rigorous and structured training, ensuring that each officer will be equipped with the vital skills necessary to progress to advanced flight training in the Air Force,” he said. “This partnership is not only a testament to Embry-Riddle's commitment to aviation excellence but also to our unwavering dedication to defending our nation. By preparing these officers with top-tier training, Embry-Riddle is directly contributing to the strength and readiness of our armed forces.”

Embry-Riddle's training program will leverage its nearly century-long history of training the next generation of pilots and supporting the U.S. military by employing its existing flight and Aeronautical Science course structure. This will ensure that select officers receive the same exceptional education and practical experience from which the university’s flight students benefit. Training will take place at Embry-Riddle's Prescott, Arizona, campus, known for its advanced flight training program and comprehensive instruction and education.

Dr. Ken Witcher, chancellor of the Prescott Campus, remarked on the significance of this partnership. "We are honored to support the United States Air Force in its mission to train the next generation of pilots. Embry-Riddle has been educating pilots for nearly 100 years, and this agreement underscores our commitment to fostering strong partnerships with the U.S. military,” he said. “Our experienced faculty and cutting-edge resources will provide these officers with the unparalleled training they require to excel in their military careers and in serving and defending our country."

Embry-Riddle’s Aeronautical Science curriculum is designed to ensure that students receive a holistic education in aeronautical theory and practical flight skills. The combination of the Private Pilot – Single Engine Land certificate, instrument rating and airplane multiengine rating will prepare the incoming cohort of officers for the diverse challenges they will face as Air Force pilots. This training will not only meet but exceed the stringent standards required by the military.

Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus recently completed upgrades to its Robertson Flight Simulation Center, introducing state-of-the-art simulation and virtual reality technology that will allow future aviators to train in safe, sustainable and controlled environments.

Prescott Flight Department Chair Parker Northrup, a retired Air Force colonel who flew B-52s and directed combat training for all B-52 crewmembers, expressed confidence in Embry-Riddle’s commitment to providing the high-quality training needed to meet the U.S. military’s requirements.  “Our existing flight program produces top-tier aviators. We are excited to extend this opportunity to these commissioned officers and support them in their training and subsequent careers in the military,” he said.

Embry-Riddle has a demonstrated and strong commitment to the U.S. armed forces. Approximately 15 percent of students at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus are enrolled in ROTC, and Embry-Riddle’s two Air Force ROTC detachments form the largest university-based Air Force commissioning source in the nation. These detachments produce more commissioned officers, pilots and other rated officers for the Air Force than any other institution in the country except the Air Force Academy. The university’s Worldwide Campus additionally supports over 10,000 active-duty servicemembers around the world.

“The partnership between Embry-Riddle and the United States Air Force epitomizes our shared commitment to excellence, innovation and service,” said President Butler. “We are dedicated to continuing our legacy of producing world-class aviators who are equipped to meet the demands of modern aviation and national security.”

Posted In: Aviation