What first attracted Timmerman to JU is the affiliation with DCA, and the school’s reputation as a private college where teacher/student relationships are more personable.“I’ve benefited from this partnership extensively by making some of the best friends I have ever had and professional contacts that I will keep for life,”Timmerman said.“Delta Connection has the reputation for producing some of the best professional pilots, and coupled with the knowledge and professional experience of the University staff, they form an alliance that ultimately is the best education for the aspiring professional pilot.” Now the aeronautics program is positioned for even greater successes since DCA announced the purchase of 50 Cirrus SR20 aircraft (right) for use at the flight school.The Cirrus SR20 is the most technologically advanced primary trainer aircraft in the world, providing students a realistic, airline-style flight training environment. One of its main features is a fullyintegrated electronic instrument display system (better known as a “glass cockpit”) coupled with Global Positioning System (GPS) and autopilot capabilities. To fully take advantage of the new technology, DCA is completely redesigning the FAA-approved flight training curriculum. At the core of the new program will be FAA-approved “scenario-based” training to help students develop better decision-making skills, in addition to basic piloting skills. DCA is also adding state-of-the-art simulators (top right).These are so realistic that the FAA, after proper approval, will allow the academy to significantly increase the use of simulators in the program, improving the efficiency and decreasing the costs of training. Because the new training devices require a lot of space, DCA is in the process of building a new facility at Craig Airport.The new Cirrus airplanes, FITS curriculum, simulators and facility should be in place by spring 2008. 6 The Wave | Spring 2007
Dr. Juan Merkt, director of the JU aeronautics program (center top), can hardly contain his excitement when speaking of the change ahead. He has seen the relationship between DCA and JU flourish, yielding even more opportunities for students during his tenure as the program’s director. “It’s a match made in heaven,” he says, noting the program’s growth from a mere 15 students in the mid-1990s to more than 200 majors and minors today.The success, he stresses, comes from the innovative pairing of an aviation industry partner with an academic curriculum. The JU and DCA partnership was the first of its kind within the airline industry.Today, there are only a few similar programs in the United States. “It is becoming the standard path for nonengineering
careers in the aviation industry. Airlines want pilots with flying skills and business communication skills as well as a broad-based education,” Merkt explains. “The fact that aviation is a part of the JU College of Business is very important. A business background can help a pilot move up in the ranks of a major carrier to become a check pilot or a chief pilot.” Indeed, the partnership between JU and DCA produces a program focused on the needs of the airline industry: on-time performance; high quality simulation, Crew Resource Management, Line Oriented Flight Training, and glass cockpit training are just a few examples of current issues in the air travel industry.