It takes long hours, practice and careful study to become a pilot. Averett’s Chief Flight Instructor Travis Williams leads the students through the process.
A typical day for William starts early. “My day begins at 5:30 am. I check and answer emails, ensure aircraft maintenance is up to date, and help instructors prepare the aircraft. Some days, I stage checks; other days, I monitor flights and check that they are within the safety limits.”
Safety is always top of mind for Williams. The aviation campus helps to implement industry standards and safety procedures.
“We are visited by the FAA and visited several times every year to make sure that we are up to the standards set by the FAA,” Williams said.
Williams also gives careful feedback to would be pilots. Feedback after stage checks or check rides is important for students’ growth.
“I give feedback through an oral debrief, to tell them whether they met the standards set in the syllabus or the ACS,” Williams said.
Some of the challenges that students often face include not having a complete or proper understanding or review of the standards. “Each student is provided with the standards but many do not take the time to study and prepare for them,” Williams said.
Averett University has 12 aircraft in its fleet and added a new plan in March. The arrival of a Piper Seminole twin engine aircraft is the first of its kind to the University, which adds to the training equipment for students.
Donajuan Richards, a junior aviation student, loves the chance to fly and be around planes.
“I have been around planes for as long as I can remember,” Richards said. “My parents use to take me plane spotting and watch aircraft land.”
One of the most fascinating and at the same time difficult topics for Richards is airline management. ”The challenges of the assignments and the need to do a simulation of your airline is an onerous task. But it is fascinating to get to see how an airline is run.”
The most exciting part of the flight training for Richards is getting his private pilot’s license.
“It is just a great feeling to know that all the hard work was worth it,” he said.
At the moment, Richards is studying for his instrument rating. He still remembers how he felt during his first solo flight.
“I was nervous but excited. I did feel a little bit nervous when I was by myself in the sky but once I was up there I wasn’t nervous anymore and I enjoyed it.”
In the future, Richards wants to fly for United Airlines.
The aviation program at Averett University is one of the fastest growing programs at the university. It is evidence of commitment and interest of both the instructors and the students. With strict training and high quality standards, the program is on the rise.
