Cleared for takeoff: Brady Bartlett reaches the sky
Northern California native Brady Bartlett was drawn to Utah State University’s aviation program four years ago and will graduate this semester with a degree in aviation technology — professional pilot and minors in air traffic control and unmanned aircraft systems.
“The aviation program has gotten really big since I’ve been here,” Bartlett said. “There’s a new flight simulator that we just bought for about one and a half million dollars shipped from New Zealand.”
Bartlett said the school has been investing in new technologies for jet-training programs and USU’s hands-on program closely mimics real airline training, helping him better prepare for post-grad life.
“Four years went by really fast,” Bartlett said. “I’ve had an opportunity to talk to a lot of incoming students, and you got to let them know that it’s going to be tough but you have to stick to it. For incoming flight students, fly as much as you can.”
Bartlett says one of the single most important things he did in his undergrad was joining the USU Flight Team, which competes intercollegiately, participating in landing and navigation contests.
“Coming into it, I didn’t really understand what the college experience is going to be like. It was a really new thing coming from California and moving out here to Utah, but I think meeting people really improved my experience,” Bartlett said. “Clubs, in particular [Flight Team], brought me out of my shell and helped me become a better pilot. I was really able to settle in and make friends.”
Bartlett noted the importance of the experiences students gain outside of classrooms, especially in the job market now.
“Most schools get you through your ratings, you become a flight instructor and the first time you’re actually sitting in a simulator for a jet is when you’re in airline training,” Bartlett said. “When I started Utah State, there was a really big hiring boom, but now it’s kind of dying down. It’s been really eye-opening to how flexible I need to be in this industry.”
Bartlett’s flight instructor Luca Portellas guides students from learning how to fly an airplane to becoming instructors themselves.
“Utah State is in a very unique training location with the mountains around us and to the northeast, red deserts to the south and large valleys to the north,” Portellas said. “Every trip I take is a new adventure. Places I go every day are things many people can only dream about.”
Portellas said the size of the program has doubled and is nearly outgrowing the Logan campus.
“It shows no signs of slowing down — the hidden gem of USU doesn’t appear to be hidden anymore,” Portellas said. “We are even at the point where they have had to start limiting the amount of incoming students for Logan campus.”
Portellas says the new Boeing 737 simulator is a one of a kind program Utah State provides. The jet-training program upgrades are being led by a former Delta Airlines pilot who plans to bring on Utah State alumni to fly with the students in the simulators.
“Everyone loves what they do and helped lead what I think has been the biggest phase of growth for USU aviation,” Portellas said. “As a student here, I was known personally by most of the professors and admins. Every single one, to this day, is willing to go out of their way to help me if I ever need it.”
Amid major changes across campuses for USU and other colleges, Bartlett said there may be impacts to future flight fees.
“I’m worried that it might affect funding with all the budget cuts,” Bartlett said. “This past semester in particular, there was a big increase in flight fees, on par with other flight schools that have been historically more expensive. It might be related to how the school’s moving money around. Everything’s kind of just getting more expensive.”
Bartlett says USU’s accelerated aviation program coupled with its low cost compared to other schools is what gives it its competitive edge, which may be in jeopardy following budget cuts and program changes.
“It’s a lot of perseverance and work, and I think the flight program in general is unlike anything else on campus,” Bartlett said. “You have that one-on-one relationship with your instructor. It can be a three-hour endeavor when scheduling a flight and driving out to the airport. It is a lot to manage.”
Bartlett is beginning a flight instructor job in California where he hoped to record 1,000 hours of flight time before manning a small airline.
“Most people — they say you get to the regionals and you want leave immediately. Some people get there and they love it and they love being able to be home every night. Some people want to go to a major and fly international.” Bartlett said.