FlightSafety International and West Virginia University Institute of Technology have announced an exclusive aviation management degree program partnership.

This articulation agreement will enable students to receive college credit from West Virginia University Institute of Technology for courses completed at FlightSafety Academy. In addition, WVU Tech and FlightSafety Academy will develop an FAA approved Bachelor of Science Aviation Management Program.

Students will benefit from FlightSafety Academy’s professional flight training and the comprehensive WVU Tech curriculum that includes general education, business, management, and aviation coursework. This unique combination is designed to fully prepare graduates to operate an aircraft at the highest levels of proficiency and safety and to give them an edge in the aviation marketplace.

“Aviation has changed. Good stick and rudder skills simply aren’t enough in the modern cockpit," said Frank Robbins, Aviation Program Coordinator at WVU Tech. "To be successful in 21st century aviation, pilots need a comprehensive knowledge base, strong cognitive abilities and excellent flight skills. Combining FlightSafety’s industry-leading flight training with WVU Tech’s aviation-oriented academic program provides our next generation of pilots with the preparation they need to meet tomorrow’s challenges.”

“We are pleased that WVU Tech has selected FlightSafety Academy as their premier ab-initio training partner for commercial airlines,” said Nancy Ritter, Manager, FlightSafety Academy. “We have been meeting and exceeding the highest quality training standards set by airlines for over 48 years. This collaboration will undoubtedly help airlines to meet their future training needs.”

Upon completion of accelerated flight training at FlightSafety Academy in Vero Beach, Florida, students will be able to satisfy the Bachelor of Science Aviation Management Program coursework requirements by taking online courses through WVU Tech. Other significant benefits include the opportunity to work as a flight instructor at the Academy which will enable them to meet minimum flight hour requirements while completing their WVU Tech degree. They will also be eligible for FlightSafety’s approved Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program conducted at the company’s Learning Centers located in the United States.

A campus within the West Virginia University system, West Virginia University Institute of Technology is a four-year institution that offers more than 40 academic programs and 8 ABET-accredited engineering programs. WVU Tech is ranked #1 in the state and #6 in the nation for annual student return on investment. For more information, visit wvutech.edu.