DOAV Director Randy Burdette will give the commencement speech to the graduating class of Liberty Univeristy's School of Aeronautics on Saturday.
Liberty’s School or Aeronautics really is a shining star among aviation-based academic programs in the country. The school, to the best of our knowledge, is the only university to have a full service FBO, Part 145 repair station, and Part 135 charter service with five corporate jets.
The flight school began in 2002 with four students and has grown to be the largest flight school in the Commonwealth of Virginia with 427 students. During these nine years, the school has really flourished becoming:
• FAA Part 141 approved for Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multi, CFI, CFII, MEI, & ATP;
• One of four universities in the nation to offer helicopter training;
• FAA Part 147 approved for Aviation Maintenance Technician training; and
• First class graduated in December 2010 with 100 percent pass rate.
The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics degree in Fixed Wing & Helicopter Professional Pilot with Concentrations in:
• Missionary
• Commercial
• Military
• Helicopter
• Unmanned Aerial Systems (beginning Fall 2011)
• On-line Degree Finish-Up for pilots working in the field
Additionally, they offer Associates Degrees in Aviation Maintenance and Flight Attendant Training.
There are 41 Aeronautics students graduating today with 16 states represented as well as four international countries including: Germany, Ethiopia, Israel, and Canada. So where are these graduates headed? We have four dual-qualified (fixed wing/helicopter) graduates, the first helicopter CFI to have completely gone through our program, four plan to go into the missionary aviation field, right will enter the military, and 29 plan to enter the commercial field.
Also on Saturday:
4th Annual Fly-In/Drive-In. Come join EAA Chapter 1442 for their 4th Annual Fly-In/Drive-In at William M. Tuck Airport (W78) in South Boston, Virginia. All types of aircraft, antique cars, motorcycles, powered parachutes, ultralights, and radio controlled aircraft will be on display. Food will be available. Free Admission. Activities take place from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. For more information contact Larry Collie at ldcollie@verizon.net or daneskelton@yahoo.com
Orange County Airport Terminal Dedication will take place beginning at 10:00 a.m.
AirPower Over Hampton Roads - 2011 Langley Air Show will take place in Hampton
