News from the Aviation Technology Program at UC Clermont

Jack Holthaus and Daniel Whitaker earned their Recreational Pilot Certificate recently. To obtain their Recreational Certificate, both passed an oral and a flight exam with a Federal Aviation Administration designated flight examiner.

Andy Nguyen also earned his Private Pilot Certificate. To obtain his Private Certificate, Nguyen passed an oral and a flight exam with a FAA designated flight examiner.

Additionally, Katie Dempsey, Cheikh Kane and Kunal Goyal soloed in their single-engine aircrafts. This was their first flight as student pilots without their instructor in the aircraft.

Holthaus is the son of Doug Holthaus of Milford. Whitaker is the son of Jim and Mary Ann Whitaker of Anderson Township. Nguyen is the son of Cam Thai-Nguyen and Ricky Nguyen of New Richmond. Dempsey is the daughter of Mark and Rosella Dempsey of Chesterland, Ohio. Kane is the son of Daba Foure and Ama Fall of Price Hill. Goyal is a resident of Cincinnati.

These students are enrolled in the Aviation Technology: Professional Pilot Program at UC Clermont College. The laboratory portion of the Professional Pilot Program is taught at the Clermont County Airport.

Aviation technology combines flight training with associated on-the-ground skills to prepare these students for a career as a commercial pilot. While most of us think of pilots flying passenger airliners, in reality they fly many types of aircraft for a variety of businesses.

Besides pilots for the major and commuter airlines, there are cargo jet pilots, corporate jet pilots and charter services pilots as well as those who fly pipeline and power line aerial inspection, do aerial photography and conduct sight-seeing flights. Some pilots participate in firefighting, rescue searches and law enforcement. Others become flight instructors.

Being a pilot involves safety, use of crew resources, knowledge of weather and navigation, and intimate knowledge of the aircraft and the mechanics of flight. Aviation technology insures these students learn these skills along with their flight training.

When Holthaus, Whitaker, Nguyen, Dempsey, Kane and Goyal complete the two-year program through UC Clermont, each will have earned an associate of applied science degree and a Commercial Pilot Certificate.

For more information about professional pilot training at UC Clermont College, visit www.ucclermont.edu or call 513.732.5200.