A HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARD

The Pilot Aboard Program seeks to provide an opportunity for aviation students to see the aviation industry form a global perspective. Flight students will be able to attend a flight school in a country of their choice and gain valuable aviation experience. Included in this experience will be the opportunity to accrue flight time and gain credits towards and Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. This comprehensive program will be comprised of 9 credit hours of in class learning and 3 credit hours in a flight lab of your choice. Professionalism is the ultimate goal of the program with students increasing their knowledge in a dynamic setting.

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            The student will be responsible for the cost of airfare to and from the destination. Housing options are available through partnerships with local families and university dorms however, options go fast so please plan accordingly. Since this program is completed through partner schools, tuition may be paid directly to SUU. Students who qualify for the the G.I. Bill must consult the Veteran’s Affairs Office to have the course covered. Student’s GPA and academic standing are considered before acceptance into the program.

            The inspiration for this project stems from the lack of alternatives for professional development within the EDGE program for aviation students. It is important to complete a project that will benefit the aviation student in the future or to have something to show for the hard work completed through this course. This experience will be something that can be used on future resumes or remembered fondly as a great and rewarding experience. By providing an outlet to show of the skills learned through the aviation program, the flight student will increase his or her value in the aviation community. In addition to increasing value, this program seeks to build long lasting relationships within the aviation community.

            The main challenges of this project came in the form of getting different groups to work together. In order for the project to work we had to have universities, flight schools, and governments agree to collaborate around a common goal. The scope of the program was ambitious but necessary. This is a project that I deeply believe in and wanted to make work. Bureaucracy was another issue throughout the project. Course material had to be approved by not only the universities but the flight schools and the government is required to approve each incoming student. Furthermore, there were insurance considerations to factor in for the flight student abroad. Each issue was not insurmountable but required time to iron out.

            While I was too advanced in my college career to make use of the program I desired to create, I knew it would be an asset to future students. The benefits of this program would be twofold. First, this project would begin a lasting track for the EDGE program for flight students to participate in. Secondly, the program would have lasting usefulness in the form of a skill and resume builder. This attractive program promises to help continue the professional development of the aviator and will improve the reputation of Southern Utah University.

            I was able to learn about so much of what goes in to creating a curriculum. I had to make sure the credits would benefit the student and also fit within the university’s structure. Teamwork and time management was another huge part of the learning experience for the project. As most of the interactions were conducted in different time zones I had to make sure communication happened at appropriate times and that each conversation accomplished something. Great relationships were developed locally with the Study Abroad department and other aviation schools around the world. The process also helped me to understand more about aviation in general and allowed me to consider things like insurance requirements and government involvement that I would not have otherwise.      

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“Don’t worry about the size of your dream, if it doesn’t seem unattainable it’s not a dream at all.”    R.J. Gipson