Purdue Global launches professional flight program

Cessna 172 at Sterling Flight Training in Jacksonville, Florida (photo courtesy of Sterling Flight Training)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) – Purdue University Global is launching a professional flight program. The university says it will begin training students accepted into the School of Aviation program this fall through its flight training affiliate, Florida-based Sterling Flight Training LLC.

Purdue says the program is designed to get students flying immediately, shortening the timeline to becoming a professional pilot in order to meet an anticipated industry demand. The university cites reports forecast a need for more than 800,000 pilots over the next 20 years.

The university says students enrolled in the program will complete their Bachelor of Science degree courses online through Purdue Global while completing professional flight training at Sterling Flight Training in Jacksonville.

“It is a wonderful association among Purdue Global, Purdue West Lafayette and Sterling, utilizing the strengths of each entity, all with students’ best interests in mind and aimed at addressing an anticipated pilot shortfall in the coming years,” said Frank Dooley, Purdue Global chancellor.

The program is a collaboration between Purdue Global and Purdue’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology and a partnership with Sterling announced earlier this year.

“This collaboration represents a significant step in the expansion of Purdue’s world-class professional flight program and an exciting new opportunity as we persist in addressing challenges in the aviation industry,” said Gary Bertoline, dean of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute.

Purdue says applications are now available for the online Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight program.

You can find more information on the program by clicking here.