{"id":27096,"date":"2019-04-04T10:03:48","date_gmt":"2019-04-04T15:03:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.discoverclarksville.com\/articles\/?p=27096"},"modified":"2019-04-04T10:03:48","modified_gmt":"2019-04-04T15:03:48","slug":"apsu-aviation-science-program-approved-for-veterans-training-meaning-little-or-no-cost-for-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.discoverclarksville.com\/articles\/2019\/04\/04\/apsu-aviation-science-program-approved-for-veterans-training-meaning-little-or-no-cost-for-veterans\/","title":{"rendered":"APSU aviation science program approved for veterans training, meaning \u2018little or no cost\u2019 for veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"

Austin Peay State University (APSU)<\/h2>\n

\"AustinClarksville, TN<\/strong> – The Austin Peay State University (APSU) aviation science program recently received approval for veterans education benefits, meaning veterans can earn the degree at \u201clittle or no cost.\u201d<\/p>\n

The program \u2013 which has a concentration in helicopters (or rotor wing) \u2013 is Tennessee\u2019s first rotorcraft flight school that offers a bachelor\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n

\"Austin<\/a>

Austin Peay State University aviation science program director and chief pilot Charlie Weigandt shows GOV 3 to U.S. Rep. Mark Green. GOV 3 is one of three in APSU’s helicopter fleet. (APSU)<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The program is designed to help veterans, Fort Campbell pilots and civilians pursue competitive careers such as flight instruction, aerial tourism and charter operations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe approval for veterans educational benefits opens the funding source for veterans to pay for their education,\u201d Dr. Kristine Nakutis, executive director of the Austin Peay Center at Fort Campbell, said. \u201cNow that this program is approved for veterans\u2019 educational benefits for students, that gives them the opportunity to achieve that bachelor\u2019s degree with little to no out-of-pocket cost.\u201d<\/p>\n

About 20 students make up the fall cohort in the program, and Nakutis expects more students to sign up.<\/p>\n

\"GOV<\/a>

GOV 3<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re really going to see this program take off with the number of students who are interested in it and who will seek that degree program,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Retired Sgt. First Class Craig A. DeBourbon is enrolling in the fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an outstanding opportunity,\u201d the 43-year-old said. \u201cRotor-wing flight in a Part 141 program is pretty rare. There are not a lot of schools offering this, and this is a fine-looking facility with beautiful helicopters. The academics are getting very well dialed in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Part 141 is the set of federal regulations that govern the structure and FAA approval of a flight school, which APSU is currently pursuing.<\/p>\n

Program Poised To Take Off<\/h3>\n

[320right]Austin Peay State University unveiled the rotorcraft program in January with the arrival of the first of three helicopters to campus. The University has two Guimbal Cabri G2s and one Robinson R44 Raven II in its fleet, all housed at Hangar 5 at Clarksville Regional Airport.<\/p>\n

Also at the hangar is a classroom that will seat 30 students starting this fall, a flight simulation room, a computer work area for rotorcraft students and room for three flight instructors and a mechanic.<\/p>\n

The program\u2019s director, Charlie Weigandt, has the mechanic and will hire other instructors this summer.<\/p>\n

The flight training device room will have a cockpit area and screens to put students in the pilot\u2019s seat during simulations.<\/p>\n

\"Elliott<\/a>

Elliott Herzlich, interim APSU College of STEM dean Dr. Karen Meisch and interim College of Arts and Letters Dean Barry Jones inspect GOV 1. (APSU)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWe have technology in the classroom that\u2019s as good as that in any Austin Peay classroom,\u201d Weigandt said.<\/p>\n

The student and office areas are nearing completion and should be ready by the fall semester, Weigandt said. He also hopes to have the Part 141 certification finalized by the summer.<\/p>\n

Opportunities Open Up For Students<\/h3>\n

For the fall cohort, the timing is good.<\/p>\n

[320left]\u201cThe whole industry of rotor-wing aviation is expanding because the airlines are hurting for pilots,\u201d Weigandt said. \u201cThey\u2019re drawing pilots from the rotor-wing community, and that\u2019s opening up job opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Weigandt is a 24-year U.S. Army veteran and founding member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. After his service, Weigandt spent an additional 14 years as a contract flight instructor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can speak from personal experience, having my bachelor\u2019s degree before I went into the Army gave me an edge competitively when it came time for promotion and selection for programs,\u201d Weigandt said. \u201cThat\u2019s what we will give our students; it isn\u2019t just the certificates, but also that degree to make them more competitive in the job market.\u201d<\/p>\n

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