Today, the College of Aviation has more than 700 undergraduate students and is one of the largest aviation programs in the country. The College has partnerships with many organizations the provide internships, employment prospects, and industry expertise for students. These companies include Duncan Aviation, WACO, the Air National Guard, Kellogg, Eaton Corporation, Avidyne, Cirrus, and others.
It’s more than just flying, the College offers degrees across the industry in the areas of Flight Science, preparation for professional pilot career; Maintenance Technology, preparing students for aircraft maintenance, technology, and maintenance management; Science and Administration, which trains students for a variety of positions, ranging from operations management to technical support areas. The college also offers courses in Seaplane and Jet Equivalency Training.
Additionally, WMU is one of only 36 colleges and universities across the nation—and the only in Michigan—that is an accepted partner with the Federal Aviation Administration in its Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative—fast tracking students into careers as Air Traffic Controllers.
Over the last 20 years, the SkyBroncos—WMU’s Competitive Flight Team—has brought home two national championships and placed fourth or higher 19 out of 20 years in the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) competition. They have also been regional champions 15 times over the last 20 years.
In mid-May the SkyBroncos will travel to The Ohio State University for the 2014 NIFA SAFECON. The national championship collegiate flying competition tests aviation skills and knowledge of more than 300 students from 30 colleges and universities.
To learn more about the history of the College of Aviation and the calendar of events celebrating the 75th anniversary, please visit mywmu.com/aviation75.
To learn more about the SkyBroncos, please click here