Students take to the air with aviation tech degree
Small planes emblazoned with an Aggie bull picture and the words “Utah State University” circle around the sky before landing at the Logan Cache Airport. Across from the landing pad sit two trailers full of classrooms and life-size flight simulators. This is where students majoring in aviation technology spend most of their time learning to become pilots.
Tyson Vencill, flight instructor in the USU professional pilot program, said he began flying when he was 7 and has loved it ever since.
“I never had a plan B, I never questioned the fact that I was going to fly,” Vencill said. “When I was younger, my birthday present would be to take a couple friends up and go flying.”
Jace Ovard, junior majoring in aviation technology, said the moment he knew he wanted to be a pilot didn’t come until high school.
“In high school I wanted to be either a teacher or a pilot, kind of opposite ends of the spectrum,” Ovard said. “Then my friend’s dad took me up in a plane, and I was hooked.”
The aviation technology major is broken into two parts: maintenance management and professional pilot. Director of aviation Nolan Clifford said the major sees about half as many students in the maintenance program but that it is becoming more popular.
Students in the professional pilot program earn a bachelor’s degree in aviation technology as well as flight ratings, which are based on flight hours and determine the type of flying graduates can do, Ovard said.
A private pilot certificate is the lowest tier and allows students to fly friends and family for nonprofit only, Nolan said.
Ovard said students looking to fly for a commercial airline must receive an instrument rating, a commercial certificate and a multiengine rating.
“Most students who complete the private pilot courses go all the way,” Clifford said.
USU also offers a CFI, or certified flight instructor, program for students who need more hours of flying time before they can get a job, Vencill said.
Vencill said he is currently working as a flight instructor to meet his hour requirements and said he loves to instruct because he gets to travel more. Having traveled as far as London from the Logan Airport, Vencill said he encourages students to fly long distances for the experience. Occasionally, Vencill said, they will even fly down to Las Vegas, stay the night, and come back the next morning.
“In my opinion, that’s one of the most rewarding things,” Vencill said. “When you can do cool stuff, it’s motivation to continue flying.”
Since flight instructors are in charge of monitoring students who are new to flying, safety is a main concern for both USU and the flight instructors themselves, Clifford said.
“As a flight instructor, you always have to be on your toes,” said Sean Heiner, a USU alumnus who is currently the chief pilot of aviation technology. “You have to watch and make sure the student doesn’t go too far.”
As part of their training for flying with no visibility, students have to fly with a hood over their heads. A flight instructor is in charge of take-off and landing, but the rest is up to the student. Cory Schow, senior in aviation technology, said this exercise was part of his training.
“The first time I was a little nervous,” said Schow, who is currently in the professional pilot program. “But when you get up there, you realize it’s totally safe.”
Heiner said the flight instructors keep a very close eye on the students as they fly with no visibility and that safety is their main concern.
Despite the emphasis on safety in the flight program, Heiner said every flight instructor still has a few exciting moments. Vencill said he has had similar experiences.
“The scariest experience I had was when I was flying with students and we had engine failure,” Vencill said.
Vencill said he and the three students on board worked together to assess the problem. After declaring an emergency, Vencill said they were able to safely land at the Salt Lake International Airport.
“Being in charge of three people’s lives was kind of scary,” Vencill said. “But in the end it was a good experience. It made me a better pilot and instructor.”
Schow, who was flying with Vencill when the engine failure occurred, said he had a couple seconds of “Oh, crap,” but since they had been trained for an emergency, he said he was confident in their ability to land the plane.
Flying solo for the fist time can be another nerve-wracking experience for students, Ovard said.
“The first day I flew solo was a day of mixed emotions,” he said. “I was really nervous, but the first time I touched down it was a good feeling. When you pull it off it’s a big confidence booster.”
Ovard said one of the biggest concerns for students in the professional pilot program is the high cost. In addition to tuition, flight costs can be a minimum of $44,000, Clifford said.
“You have to be dedicated,” Ovard said. “I plan on using financial aid, getting a summer sales job and trying to get through quick to save some money.”
Although the costs are high, Schow said the money is worth it for the chance to take what he loves and turn it into a career.
“If you love flying, don’t let the money scare you,” he said.
One reason the cost to go through the program is worth it, Heiner said, is because many commercial airlines are in need of pilots. Heiner said pilots are in high demand right now because the baby boomers have just reached the age of mandatory retirement. With so many pilots retiring, Clifford said now is the time to get into aviation.
“If (every school) put out all their pilots,” Clifford said, “we still could not meet the needs.”
Although the price to fly may seem high, Clifford said it is one of the cheapest air programs students can find. And while costs may be low compared to other schools, Clifford said USU also has one of the most modern training fleets.
Right now the school has a fleet of 10 Diamond DA-40 Diamond Star and two Diamond DA-42 Twin Star airplanes for primary, instrument and multiengine training, all equipped with glass cockpits. They also have three Piper Arrow airplanes, which are used for commercial training.
For Schow and Ovard, one of the best things about majoring in aviation technology and becoming a pilot is getting to fly to different places, they both said.
“One day we flew up to Jackson Hole, had lunch and flew back down in time for class,” Schow said.
Ovard said traveling a lot as a pilot will have its ups and downs. He said he is excited to travel to places other than Utah but that it will be hard not to see his wife as much. In the end though, Ovard said as a commercial pilot, he will only be gone for three days out of the week and will have the rest of the time to spend with his family.
The traveling and flexible schedule are reasons Ovard said he is excited to do what he loves and get paid for it. Heiner agreed, saying, “It’s an exciting career. It’s fun and there is a lot of opportunity, but it’s a roller coaster. If you are considering aviation, be prepared for the ride.”
-amanda.m@aggiemail.usu.edu