News Article

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State University today announced the official renaming of its aviation flight training program as the Arkansas Aviation Academy, which will prepare pilots who are not enrolled as Henderson students but are seeking credentials to become commercial pilots. 

 

The Arkansas Aviation Academy, recently approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, expands Henderson’s long-established professional pilot bachelor’s degree program – the only public university program of its kind in the state. 

 

The name change coincides with the addition of three courses geared to prepare pilots for aviation careers. These include a commercial multi-engine add-on course, a tailwheel course and a CFI spin-training course. 

 

With the recent addition of two new multi-engine aircraft to its fleet, Henderson has opened these new courses to commercial pilots who are not Henderson students. 

 

“We know there’s a shortage of pilots, and we can help address that by offering this certification to external aviators,” said Dr. Shannon Clardy, dean of the college of the College of Aviation, Science, and Nursing. “The multi-engine certification opens doors for career advancement to all pilots.” 

 

Henderson offers a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in aviation that prepares students for the professional aviation workplace. The Professional Pilot Track provides students who have no flight experience with the education and flight training required to become a professional pilot for an airline or corporation. The Aviation Management Track is for students interested in working at the management level in the aviation industry without being a commercial pilot. 

 

Most airlines require the commercial multi-engine course, said Jordan Dennis, chief flight instructor. Pilots taking the course must already have a commercial pilot certificate and upon completion will add the Commercial Pilot - AMEL rating to their existing commercial pilot’s license. 

 

The course can be completed in five training days and includes ground training, simulator training, 6-8 hours of multi-engine flight time, and pre/post flight debrief time with an instructor. 

 

Accommodations will be available on campus for participating pilots during their week-long training. 

 

“Henderson’s aviation tradition extends back to the 1970s,” Henderson Chancellor Dr. Trey Berry said. “We are proud to expand our aviation instruction to include even more pilots seeking careers as commercial pilots and look forward to helping them be Reddie to Fly.” 

 

Completion of the tailwheel course and CFI spin training course results in the issuance of a logbook endorsement. 

 

“We’re looking at more avenues in addition to the three that were recently approved, and we expect that we’ll be putting those through the approval process soon,” Clardy said. “We’re also looking to increase capacity and to streamline the program for efficiency.” 

 

The creation of an aviation advisory board is under way, and the academy is working on alumni connections, along with pursuing potential partnerships with airlines, she said. 

 

“Aviation is expensive,” Clardy said. “Henderson State makes aviation accessible to more people because we are on the low end of the cost for flight training.” 

 

For additional information, visit hsu.edu/aviation or call (870) 230-5585 to schedule training.