University of Cincinnati Clermont College Streamlines Career Path for Aviators

The University of Cincinnati - Clermont College Aviation Technology: Professional Pilot Training Program announced that it has received institutional authority from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify its graduates for the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot Certification (R-ATP).

The R-ATP authority granted to UC recognizes its quality, comprehensive training program and allows graduates to fill airline first-officer positions with reduced total flying experience shortly after graduation.

“Not only do UC students have the ability to enter the airline industry sooner, but the program has forged partnerships with an elite group of organizations including airlines and corporate flight departments,” said Eric Radtke, chief instructor of aviation at UC. “Industry alliances provide unique learning experiences for UC aviators and valuable opportunities for future professional aviation employment in the form of bridge agreements, internships and co-ops.”

Regulations require that all airline pilots possess an ATP certificate. The R-ATP allows a pilot to meet that requirement and fly as an airline first officer before reaching the total ATP experience and qualifications required of a captain. R-ATP requires that the pilot graduated from an FAA-approved program and in lieu of the minimum ATP hours, it offers credit for specified education and training as provided at UC.

As part of the Professional Pilot Training program at UC Clermont, primary, advanced, and instrument flight training are complemented with two years of intensive college study.  Flight training is conducted at the Clermont County Airport in Batavia, Ohio, by Sporty’s Academy, Inc., a world-renowned aviation company that has been educating pilots for more than 50 years.  Students study all facets of safe, efficient aircraft operation including flight planning, weather evaluation, and modern methods of navigation and fly in a fleet of modern, well-equipped aircraft.

Upon completion of the two-year, associate degree program, aviation students have a unique opportunity to continue their academic studies in one of several baccalaureate tracks while continuing to build aviation experience as flight instructors. Areas of study include business administration, applied administration and aeronautical science. Qualified individuals have the opportunity to gain nearly 800 hours of total flying experience upon completion of their Bachelor’s degree. This experience and diverse skill set allows UC graduates to excel in a variety of aviation fields including professional pilot.

Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook projects that 533,000 new commercial airline pilots will be needed to fly the world fleet over the next 20 years. “There’s never been a better time to stop dreaming and start flying,” adds Radtke.

To learn more about Professional Pilot Training at UC, visit UCClermont.edu/aviation-information.