DSU aviation program taking to new heights with addition of helicopter training
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Posted By: S. Moore on April 24, 2023 DOVER, Del. – ROTC students interested in Delaware State University’s (DSU) aviation program now have the opportunity to take their training, and education, to new heights. Helicopter Training Program Lifts Off A helicopter training program is lifting off at the historically Black college and university (HBCU). Thursday morning, DSU and the U.S. Army Cadet Command signed off on the partnership. Soon, 10 ROTC members will be able to get trained and certified to pilot a helicopter at DSU. DSU is now the first, and only, HBCU with an aviation program offering helicopter training. “There are very few opportunities like this,” said Deputy Commanding General (DGC) Amanda Azubuike of the U.S. Army Cadet Command. “The Army is all about opportunities. And, for those who want to come into the aviation industry, with a program established by Delaware State University, partnering with the Army, is going to help fund the program.” Army officials say this new pathway could help feed the pipeline of aviators that both the private sector, and military, need. “We’re hoping that will attract more of the people that we want in the military, with those leadership skills, that just may not have that opportunity otherwise,” said DCG Azubuike. “If you already can’t afford fixed wing, but you’re interested in rotary wing, we’ve just provided an opportunity that you may not have had.” "The helicopter flight training program is huge for DSU," said Lt. Col. Michael Hales, director of DSU Aviation and retired 25-year veteran of the U.S. Army, ahead of the event. This expansion boosts the professional pilot discipline offered at Delaware State, not only providing helicopter training to U.S. Army ROTC students, according to the university, but later to prove an option for all undergraduate aviation majors. Delaware State offers an aviation management degree as well. "And it's a win-win for the Army," Hales said. "Because at the end of four years, they get a commissioned officer who will have their private, instrument, commercial and flight instructor's rating in helicopters." Opening Up Opportunities The Army will cover those students’ tuition and training costs; it’s essentially a scholarship. “It’s $120,000 per person for the four years. So, for the Army to pay for all of that, that’s a burden off of people’s shoulders. They can get the experience that they need,” said Cadet Tajay Kelly, who will be in the first cohort of students. “Now that the helicopter is coming, I’m switching back to aviation pilot, because I was going to commission in the Army as a pilot anyway. So, they trained me. But, since they gave me the scholarship to learn here, civilian side, I just decided to take it.” But, it’s not just about giving more opportunity to all; It’s also about the broader mission of achieving a diverse armed forces, says DCG Azubuike. “Aviation in general, whether it’s in the military or not, for some reason is not very diverse; whether it’s gender, or ethnic minorities,” said DCG Azubuike. “We’re hoping that will attract more of the people that we want in the military with those leadership skills that just may not have that opportunity otherwise.” And, DCG Azubuike says this isn’t where the road ends for students’ opportunities within the military. “We’re specifically talking about aviation today,” said DCG Azubuike. But, we give $300 million in merit-based scholarships. People, a lot of times when they think of the Army, they only think of infantry. We have nurses, doctors, finance officers, personnel officers, in addition to pilots.” “Go for it.” For those hoping to take flight at DSU, current aviation students have this message: “I say go for it. Go for it. There’s no need to be afraid. It’s a passion, and if you really like it, you’ll like it,” said DSU Sophomore Caleb Harris. “Just take that jump,” added DSU Freshman Evan Knox. “It’s such a fun career. A lot of people also need to realize that it is a lot of work, and it takes a lot of time and development.” The first cohort of students in the helicopter program will start their training this fall. The training is being provided by Ascent Arrow. DSU officials say they’ll scale up the class size as they go, and expect much more demand for the program by 2025. DSU Aviation continues trend of new partnerships Lt. Col. Hales is a bit of a helicopter man himself. "The Army reached out to me and said, 'Hey, you're a former officer. You're one of us. Help us do this.' And I said, 'Goodness, we shut that down not long ago — let me see what I can do,'" said the pilot dual-rated in both planes and helicopters, recalling the U.S. Army seeking the partnership. "And we were able to figure it out." Delaware State will be the only aviation program among Historically Black Colleges and Universities to offer helicopter flight training, Hales added. His program already boasts graduating the most pilots of color in the nation. It seems to keep getting stronger. Hales said 2019 came with the largest class on record. That year, a $3.4 million grant from the Delaware Higher Education Economic Development allowed the outfit to purchase 11 planes — 10 Vulcanair V1.0 single-engine aircraft and a twin-engine Piper Seminole. Two years later, the only program of its kind among HBCUs in the region announced its first-ever partnership with United Airlines. The 2021 link paved graduates a direct path to becoming pilots with the major airline. This came as United shared plans to train five-thousand new pilots by 2030, with the goal of having at least half of them be women or people of color. Just last year, a retired United Airlines pilot and his wife made a $100,000 donation to support flight training at Delaware State. The largest cash donation in the 37-year history of the university’s aviation program, thanks to Bob and Karen Fischer of Lewes, would help offset student fees as well as contribute to needed renovations. A favorite regional airline for students to join as they start their careers or seek internships, Republic Airways also made a $30,000 contribution in 2022. Similarly, these funds were marked to help offset student fees and purchase flight simulators. Delaware State has another regional partner in Piedmont Airlines. This new helicopter training program will add to the degree offerings at Delaware's only HBCU. An outside vendor — Ascent Aero of New Jersey — will be contracted by the university, Hales said, to run the new training in its early stages. Ascent will likely house two of these helicopters at the airpark. SOURCE Yahoo! Sports If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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