News from the Aviation Technology Program at UC Clermont College

Steven Butler earned his Private Pilot Certificate recently. To obtain his certificate, Butler passed an oral and a flight exam with a Federal Aviation Administration-designated flight examiner. Butler is a resident of Lynchburg, Ohio.

James Bowers also earned his Recreational Pilot Certificate. To obtain his certificate, Bowers passed an oral and a flight exam with an FAA-designated flight examiner. He and his wife, Melynda, reside in Cincinnati.

Andrew Ackerman soloed in a single-engine aircraft. This was Ackerman’s first flight as a student pilot without his instructor in the aircraft. He is the son of Mark Ackerman and Jan Cullen of Price Hill.

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 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. Some pilots become flight instructors.

Being a pilot involves safety, use of crew resources, knowledge of weather, 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 Butler, Bowers and Ackerman 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.