NSU to Offer Flight Training Program Through American Flyers Partnership

FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – To meet an increasing global demand for qualified pilots, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) will begin offering a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services Administration with a concentration in Human Factors in Aviation in fall 2012.

The program is a direct result of the combined efforts of NSU and American Flyers, Inc. to meet the market demand and growing need within the aviation industry, for pilots and qualified aviation professionals to be trained in the human factors associated with flight. The program includes two areas of concentration: Basics in Aviation and Professional Development in Aviation. The concentrations will provide opportunities for students to gain knowledge and experience in the areas of human behavior and the technical aspects of flight.

Beginning in fall 2012, the program will be available online with live flight training offered through American Flyers. American Flyers has been established within the flight training industry since 1939 and operates nine pilot training facilities in six states, as well as national and international career training centers including locations in Florida, California, and Texas.

The new program was created in anticipation of a predicted worldwide pilot shortage. According to announcements made by Boeing Corp., and reported on in USA Today, Plane and Pilot Magazine, and others, aviation industry experts calculate that over 5,000 qualified pilots will be in demand each year, for the next 20 years in the United States alone.

“Most people are unaware of the serious pilot shortage… some airlines have actually grounded aircraft because of a lack of crew,” said Don Harrington, CEO, American Flyers.  “NSU’s program is unique in that they want to teach the human factors of crew resource management as well as utilize American Flyers’ seventy year pragmatic approach to educating pilots.”

American Flyers will provide simulator and actual flight training, allowing students to earn their private pilot’s license and instrument rating. An advanced flight training and aviation career curriculum is also being offered, in which students can earn their commercial, multi-engine and flight instructor certificates.

The program, housed in NSU’s Institute for the Study of Human Service, Health and Justice will offer courses on topics covering communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and resource management. NSU Provost and Executive Vice President Frank De Piano, Ph.D. commented, “Human factors in aviation meets a critical need in the industry to develop sound judgment and decision-making while engaged in aircraft operations. The human factors in aviation remain a major source of accidents and flight mishaps.”

Two terms will be offered this fall:

For more information including admission requirements, tuition, and additional term offerings, visit www.nova.edu/aviation. You may also contact:

Nova Southeastern University – Kimberly Durham, Psy.D. –  durham@nova.edu

American Flyers – Sherry Magno – sherry@af.tv

Media Contact:
Felecia Henderson | NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5315 (office) | 954-383-4695 (cell) | fhenders@nova.edu